Imphal, December 19 2008: With just nine days to go to the Moirang A/C bye-election, war of words between the two contesting parties has also peaked.

Election campaigns of both the Congress and MPP have also reached fever-pitch stage.

Chief Minister O Ibobi has questioned the activities of former Chief Ministers who have now joined BJP after their stint in RJD and MPP as well as the activity of an MPP leader who reportedly joined the party after leaving another.

Ibobi asked whether their activities be termed politics or whether they have been using the land as their business house.

This was stated at a public gathering at Moirang Chengei ground today.

The gathering was for the 93rd birth anniversary celebration of late freedom fighter and ex-Chief Minister M Koireng.

The programme jointly organised by Bishnupur District Congress Committee and M Koireng Memorial Trust was also a Congress workers' political conference for Bishnupur district.

Ibobi called upon the people of Moirang to teach those who are allegedly playing politics as a business by changing their allegiance from one party to another, a befitting lesson in the upcoming Moirang A/C bye-election.

Stating that many leaders who have been rejected by people and refused entry to Congress would be coming to Moirang for election campaign, Ibobi called upon the people not to take a single word of those leaders.

Those leaders would be derided as far as possible in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, he said.

Asking if there was any remarkable achievement of Th Chaoba during his spell as a Minister in the NDA Government, Ibobi questioned if Chaoba was able to hand over Kangla to people.

Asserting that MPP is fighting the bye-election after tying up with communal BJP, Ibobi stated that Moirang by-election is the opportune moment to give crushing defeat to MPP.

Reacting to the reported statement of MPP MLA Ibohalbi that a huge amount of money sanctioned for development of the State by the Central Government has been distributed amongst the Council of Ministers, the Chief Minister said that he would certainly ask Ibohalbi when and where the money was distributed as and when he comes to Chief Minister's official residence.

If he dares, he can make a specific charge and put up the matter in the State Assembly, Ibobi asserted while asking as to why he remained mute during the Assembly session.

Regarding the allegations that the Congress candidate is too young and that election campaign was held in Chief Minister's official complex, Ibobi disclosed that the Election Commission of India has written to him acting on the words of opposition parties and news reports.

Ibobi while maintaining that no election campaign was held in his official complex, asked if there is any code of conduct which prohibits entry of people to the Chief Minister's official complex during election time.

Noting that a 28 year old man is fully matured and is eligible to become a Prime Minister, Ibobi remarked that the opposition parties were making absurd allegations for lack of any substantial issue to attack the Congress with.

Plans and wishes of late MLA Manindra could have been put forth to the public but for the election code of conduct, Ibobi regretted while asserting that the desires and aspirations of late ex-Chief Minister M Koireng ought to be put into action.

MPCC president Gaikhangam observed that his earlier notion about absence of opposition parties in Manipur has been proved wrong by the Moirang A/C bye-election.

He alleged that with self-centred opposition MLAs hanging around the Chief Minister round the clock, Congress workers have been unable to meet the Chief Minister.

Gaikhangam observed that people would not regard opposition MLAs as responsible members of the House if they go on seeking their selfish ends while forgetting the roles they should take in the House and governance.

Ex-MLA Hesamuddin pledged that he will put in all efforts to ensure success of Prithiviraj in the bye-election.

Congress candidate Prithiviraj said that he will fight the bye-election with a firm determination to complete the works/programmes taken up by his late father.

Other speakers accepted that Prithiviraj is a child when compared to the age of Hemam Birsingh.

Yet they asked the people which one is more judicious�electing an old man with an allegedly condemned mind or electing the youthful candidate who has his own principles and vision.

On the occasion of the birth anniversary of late Koireng, a large number of people led by Chief Minister O Ibobi paid floral tributes to photograph of the late Chief Minister.

Comment