Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 16 2009:
Former chief Minister RK Dorendro today said that the bye-election to Yaiskul Assembly Constituency is not an election to be taken lightly.
Addressing an election meeting for the Independent candidate, Hanjabam Jaydev @ Gandhi, held at Boroimakhong, Moirangkhom Loklaobung, the senior politician said that since there is a big public issue prevailing presently, the opposition parties have not fielded candidates in the bye-election in support of the issue.
He said, it is not that the political parties can't field their own cadidates.
They decided not to field candidates after minute discussions among themselves so that the voters will not be divided in defeating the Congress candidate.
They decided to support Jaydev because he is the only one who can make Congress bite the dust.
He said, the government has been trying to avoid the July 23 incident of Khwairamband bazar in which Rabina and Sanjit were killed and five others were injured, despite the Tehelka news magazine publishing photo sequences of the tragic incident.
Dorendro further said, that is why people have been demanding resignation of the Chief Minister on moral ground.
Is there no one among the 30 legislators of Congress who can replace Ibobi, Dorendro asked.
The bye-election is very significant.
It is the right opportunity for the people to express their discontentment, he said.
"Congress candidate Suraj is like my son, he is not an enemy.
We love him.
But we only want to defeat Congress with the burning issues of the state.
This is to send a message to the Congress high command," Dorendro said.
Former Minister Laishram Jatra asked, why has the government annoounced Rs 1 lakh ex-gratia just before the election.
Ex-gratia must be given for the foetus in Rabina's womb as well.
The people of Yaiskul need to ponder over such pretensions of Congress, he said.
Leaders of MPP and BJP also spoke at the meeting.