BJP accuses ex-CM Ibobi of misleading people
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 01 2024:
While expressing serious remorse on alleged attempt by former chief minister Okram Ibobi to malign reputation of the BJP by claiming that there is hidden agenda behind the present humanitarian crisis in the state, BJP Manipur Pradesh spokesperson M Asnikumar accused the former chief minister is trying to befool and mislead the public.
Addressing media persons at the Nityaipat Chuthek office of BJP, here, on Monday, Asnikumar dismissed as baseless and malicious the statement made by former chief minister and senior leader of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee.
Despite his vast political experience, it appears that Ibobi is overlooking hardships suffered by the people of the state during his protracted stint as the chief minister though it is obvious that the people are still nursing the physical and mental trauma ensured under the Congress rule, Asnikumar said.
Expressing that Ibobi's statement is unbecoming of someone with such a lengthy political career, he claimed that taking undue advantage of the state's unrest situation for personal and party's political mileage is nothing short of reprehensible.
While pointing out that 1528 extra-judicial killings took place in the state between 1980 and 2011 when Congress was helming the affairs, with the CBI currently investigating 97 cases of such stage managed eliminations from year 2000 till 2011 when Ibobi was the CM, the BJP spokesman reminded all concerned that the Congress rule was marked by frequent bandhs, rampant corruption, extortion, and subjugation of Manipur is under the garb of AFSPA not to speak about 12 hours of electricity considered a luxury in those days.
Asserting that BJP and not the Congress repealed AFSPA from most parts of the state, ushering in a new era of hope, peace, prosperity, and progress, he affirmed that BJP is committed to resolving issues amicably, taking into account the sentiments of the people of Manipur.
Ridiculing the former chief minister's contention that the BJP government is instigator of present crisis, Asnikumar advised the Congress party to reflect on their past actions, while iterating that root cause of the present conflict is mainly due to short-sighted policies pursued by the Congress during its tenure, and prioritising electoral victories over the long-term development of Manipur.
The Congress would do well to revisit their history books, wherein they would discover that seeds of the present conflict were sown by their own short-sighted policies with the sole aim of winning electoral battles undermining interest of the people and overall development of Manipur, he maintained.
Contrary to the Congress rule, the BJP government in Manipur has been charting a course towards progress - a path that is inclusive and empowering, fostering support for young entrepreneurs, financial inclusion, and em powerment of women, artisans, and individuals from all walks of life, including supporters of the Congress party.
Many Congress supporters are benefiting from schemes like CMHT, demonstrating that the BJP's governance extends to all, Asnikumar said.
He maintained that BJP is riot only opening the doors of development to the state but also actively promoting state's rich culture, traditions, and history both domestically and internationally.
The renaming of Mount Harriet, the third highest peak in Andaman and Nicobar Islands to Mount Manipur stands as a tribute to valour of Manipur's freedom fighters, shedding light on the sacrifices of Yuvaraj Tikendrajit Singh, Thangal General, King Kulachandra Dhaja Singh and 22 other freedom fighters of the Anglo-Manipuri war of 1891; he said.
Asnikumar also stressed the need to tread cautiously to ensure the attainment of lasting peace in the state as the Congress party seems determined to politicise and exploit the present situation for their own gain.
He also expressed confidence that BJP will effectively address challenges faced by the people of the state and usher an era of peace and prosperity.
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