Manipur CM’s apology had ‘surrendered’ ILP movement to Churachandpur civil society: Congress

Imphal, July 4: The war of words between the ruling BJP and opposition Congress in Manipur on Tuesday continued over who has fared better.
The Congress which has ruled the state for three decades has been pitching its credentials with regard to policies, especially development programmes. The party has accused BJP of trying to take credit of its development efforts.  
“Tendering apology to the Churachandpur civil society leaders by the Manipur Chief Minister for what he had said mistakes committed by the previous government was the biggest political sell-out,” Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) spokesperson Kh Joykishan told the press at Congress Bhavan.
Shortly after taking office, the BJP government reached an agreement with civil society in Churachandpur district recently ending a 600-day stalemate.
“The entire historic ILP movement of Manipur backed by the Congress was surrendered to the Churachandpur civil society,” Joykishan claimed.  
He said the Congress sought clarification from the BJP government over the CM’s remarks but they are still unable to clarify it.
Joykishan had on July 2 criticised the Nonthongbam Biren Singh headed BJP-led coalition government for allegedly taking credit of the previous Congress government’s development programmes.  
Joykishan said the BJP government was only promoting developmental initiatives launched by the Congress in the state in the last 15 years.
He said the state government was using renamed versions of programmes taken up by the Congress government by incorporating them in the 100 days programme.
Works Minister Th Biswajit Singh yesterday said the 100-day programme of the BJP-led government in Manipur was to ensure completion of all projects, which were lying incomplete so that the projects can be handed over to the general public.
Biswajit, who is also the spokesperson of BJP, said lifting the prolonged economic blockade from the two major National Highways, considered lifelines of the state, is the biggest achievement of the present government in its first 100 days.
He said ending the Churachandpur turmoil was another major feat of the present government.