Minister tongue lashes at BJP
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 20 2011:
Reacting to scathing remarks by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against the Congress-led SPF Government, spokesperson of the ruling coalition N Biren Singh, who is also the Sports Minister dismissed the saffron party as opportunist and its charges as ridiculous.
Interacting with newspersons on the sideline of an inspection trip to Regional Water Sports Complex at Takmu today, Biren reminded the BJP that its was during the saffron party's reign at the Centre that people of Manipur witnessed one of the bloodiest events.
With apparent reference to comments by some BJP leaders during their recent visit to the State that work related to clearance of the floating biomass (phumdis) of Loktak Lake is not only tardy but lacks transparency, the Minister asserted that entrusting the task to K Pro Infra Work Private Limited was based on merit and there is nothing to hide.
highlighting that the ongoing phumdi clearance work is being closely monitored by the Planning Commission, under whose funding the said work is being carried out, the SPF spokesperson observed that BJP's allegation only demonstrates frustration of the saffron party's inability to win confidence of the masses and remaining out of power for a long time.
Further expressing that various welfare programmes being taken up under the SPF Government might have been a cause of concern for the BJP, Biren also questioned what development schemes the saffron party had initiated for Manipur when the NDA was in power at the Centre.
While Manipur was in flame during the NDA rule, the SPF Government among others is responsible for setting up medical college in addition to smooth progress of the rail-line project, maintained the Minister and demanded that the BJP prove involvement of the Congress party in corruption.
With regard to the defeat of the Congress nominee in the recently held by-election to Konthoujam Assembly Constituency, the Minister expressed confidence of regaining the seat in the next election.
turning his tirade against the Trinamool Congress, Biren asserted that credibility or commitment of State leaders of the political organisation is dubious in addition to the fact that Trinamool Congress's central leaders had never highlighted problem of Manipur in the Parliament.
Assessing progress of the phumdi clearance work, he stated that 40 percent of the task has been completed and exuded confidence of finishing the remaining work by March next year.