Imphal, December 16 2009: Addressing an election meeting at Nahabam Basketball Ground, Chief Minister O Ibobi took pot shots at the BJP and MPP, asserting that they preferred not to field their candidates as they were wary that they would be rejected by the people.

Deriding the Opposition, Ibobi said that it a pleasure to see that the BJP and MPP are not able to nominate their own candidates and hence are supporting an Independent candidate.

Explaining why he has not been at the forefront of the campaigning so far, the Chief Minister claimed that he stayed at the background as the younger lot in the Congress wanted to take on the challenge mounted by the Opposition.

He also derided the game plan of the Opposition to hold their meeting just opposite to theirs.

None from the BJP were elected during the election to the 9th Assembly, the CM reminded the gathering.

Those coming from Khangabok and Wangkhem ACs to address the Opposition election meeting are those who lost in the Assembly election, he derided.

On the charge of the BJP that he (Ibobi) had violated the election code of conduct, while addressing the disabled people, Ibobi explained that all that he did was to tell them that the Supreme Court had issued a directive to reserve 3 pc jobs for them.

This is not about announcing any policy of the Government, he asserted.

Replies have been given to the relevant authorities to nullify the charges of the BJP, he claimed further.

Taking further digs at the Opposition Ibobi said that it was a matter of shame that the then Speaker of the State Assembly, H Borbabu had to be summoned by the Supreme Court for indiscretion in allowing MLAs to change their political colours.

It was during the BJP rule at Delhi that the Bangkok Declaration was signed to break up Manipur, further said the Chief Minister.

Appealing to the public, the Chief Minister said that to ensure peace and stability, the co-operation of the people is always needed.

To ensure development, without hindrances, the Chief Minister urged the gathering to vote for the Congress candidate.

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