Imphal, October 31: Reacting strongly to the remarks of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh wherein he derided the claim of the MPP that it is the only political party which can repeal AFSPA from Manipur, Manipur People's Party (MPP) has stated that it only goes to show the immaturity of the Chief Minister.

In a statement, party spokesperson G Joykumar Sharma reiterated that with a strong commitment, MPP has always taken active part in the public movement for removal of AFSPA from Manipur.

The commitment of the party still remains even today and efforts will be taken up to repeal the draconian Act from Manipur, Joykumar said.

Speaking at a one-day block level Congress workers' conference at Hiyanglam yesterday, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh had dubbed MPP as a political party whose writ does not extend beyond the valley area and dubbed claim of the party as the only political party which can remove AFSPA from Manipur as a big joke.

Turning the table on the Chief Minister, Joykumar said the assertion of the Chief Minister that Central leaders would not even listen to the cries of a political party which does not have an MP at Parliament only goes to show the limited knowledge of the CM .

For any reasonable demand, the Central leaders would listen and leave the door open and the Chief Minister should understand that MPP had consulted Central leaders on various issues in the past, he said.

Instead of making irresponsible remarks at public platforms, the Chief Minister should first of all try to resolve the open fight between two Congress leaders of Hiyanglam, he added.

Continuing the tirade, Joykumar said how much Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh value the integrity of Manipur is already known by the people from the instance of his returning happily from Senapati where he was welcomed with a festoon inscribed with the slogan 'Welcome to South Nagaland'.

He also attacked the CM for feigning innocence on Sharmila's shift of protest venue to Delhi.

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