IT News
Imphal, April 5:
Congress party has announced the manifesto of the upcoming Loksahba election today at Congress Bhavan. K Meghachandra, spokesperson of the Congress party, while unveiling the party’s manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha election, placing a strong emphasis on addressing the escalating violence in Manipur. Meghachandra criticized the BJP/NDA government for what he described as callous neglect, asserting that the situation has deteriorated under their watch. The Congress manifesto pledges swift action, including the removal of the present state government, establishment of a Reconciliation Commission to foster unity among communities, and ensuring compensation and redress for victims of the conflict. Additionally, the manifesto proposes the integration of volunteers who defended villages into the State force and calls for the establishment of an inquiry commission to hold individuals accountable for past atrocities.
Meghachandra said that INDIA Bloc has filed a complaint with the Election Commission, alleging widespread distribution of money to voters, particularly targeting women congregating near the residences of MLAs, notably the Chief Minister’s residence. Furthermore, they highlight the sudden initiation of recruitment drives for state government jobs during this period. These actions, they argue, are clear violations of the model code of conduct, yet no action has been taken. “The funds, purportedly stolen from the public, are now being utilized to sway votes, undermining the integrity of the electoral process, Meghachandra added.
M Sakhi Devi, a politician from CPI, campaigning for the INDIA BLOC candidate Bimol Akoijam, highlighted the continued struggles faced by women in defending Manipur’s territorial integrity amidst the violence. She emphasized the importance of voting despite the challenges, alleging “strategies aimed at diluting the vote by fielding actors as candidates which happened in the last election.” Sakhi Devi criticized the BJP government saying that “those who surrendered during the peak of violence are now claiming to be the only hope for the state.
Nameirakpam Loken Singh, a veteran politician of Congress, criticized the BJP’s claim that law and order has been improved. Loken Singh says that BJP candidate is “promising that the individuals in relief camps will be able to go back to their original places if the BJP wins this electrion. But, this assurance has been made despite the party’s inability to act decisively, despite being in power at the center.”