Cong Ministers in poll mode
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 04 2010: Even as the next Assembly elections is two years away, Congress Ministers are apparently in election mood.

Taking advantage of public functions, Congress Ministers have been campaigning for Congress candidates of the areas where they attended functions.

Speaking as chief guest at a cultural carnival of Paomai community being organised by Chilivai Naga Union at Chilivai circle under Karong Assembly Constituency of Senapati district, Works Minister K Ranjit and other Congress Ministers not only hailed the activities of the SPF Government and TD Minister DD Thaisii who is representing Karong A/C but also appealed to re-elect Thaisii in the next general election.

They appealed to elect Congress candidates from the neighbouring constituencies too.

A cultural troupe assemble before performing at the cultural carnival of Paomais

The inaugural function of the cultural carnival held yesterday was graced by Works Minister K Ranjit, TD Minister DD Thaisii and YAS Minister N Biren as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

Kangpokpi A/C MLA Thangminlen Kipgen, Moirang A/C MLA Prithiviraj and former Minister from Tadubi A/C Francis Ngajokpa were also present at the opening function of the carnival which would continue till tomorrow.

Addressing the gathering, Ranjit said that subsequent upon meeting of Ministers who have perspectives similar to those of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, efforts are being made to bring hill districts at par with the valley in terms of development.

He lauded DD Thaisii as a responsible citizen of not only Karong A/C but also for the whole State.

DD Thaisii played great roles in initiating the process for District Council elections and establishment of a separate university for hill districts.

Ranjit further gave credit to DD Thaisii for the road being constructed between Karong and Thingba Khunou, other development works as well as for the Rs 15 crores sanctioned by the State Government for development works in Karong area.

The Works Minister appealed to re-elect man like DD Thaisii who according to him is deeply concerned with the welfare of people.

He further sought re-election of former Minister Francis Ngajokpa from Tadubi A/C.Taking strong exception to the custom of using NH 39 as a means of pursuing demands by imposing bandhs and blockades, said that the Mao-Maram section of the highway has been under the maintenance of BRO for the last 34 years.

With the BRO not working satisfactorily, the State Cabinet has decided to take over the same section from BRO.

However, the State is unable to begin work on this section due to certain technical problems and incomplete utilisation of amounts sanction earlier.

Even as the Ministry of Surface Transport and Highways has sanctioned Rs 50 crores for development of NH 39, only one contractor came forward during tender.

As such, necessary process is being made to conduct another tender.

He attributed the reluctance of contractors to work on NH 39 due to disturbances from different quarters.

He also appealed to the Senapati District Students Association to call off the ongoing economic blockade.