BJP is discriminatory : Ibobi

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 15 : Former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has asserted that withholding Municipality and ADC elections coupled with negligible representation of women and minority in the State Government are signs of discriminatory and ‘non-representational’ governance.
Speaking to media persons during a launch function of the party election campaign song at Congress Bhavan, the CLP leader urged the people to give their verdict after thorough consideration to the party which can save Manipur.
The programme was also attended by AICC senior election observer (Manipur) MP Jairam Ramesh, Manipur -in charge Bhakta Charan Das, MPCC president N Loken, CWC member Gaikhangam and MLA K Ranjit among others.
He continued that BJP is gradually eroding the democratic ethos left behind by Congressmen and 'our freedom fighters'.
Maintaining that the 10th Schedule of the Indian Constitution has also been eroded by frequent switching of allegiance by some legislators, Ibobi asked the people to be conscious of those who support such     unprincipled practice.
It was the Congress party which resumed the ADC election after a gap of nearly 20 years, Ibobi said.
Accusing the saffron party of running the State in a dictatorial manner, he asked why the local body elections are being withheld in Manipur when the same are conducted on time in bigger States  like Karnataka.
Ibobi said that Congress, on the other hand, gave many seats to the women in the local body election while it was at the helm. Saying the Congress leader Sonia Gandhi never interfered in State's administration while the party was in power, Ibobi said that Sonia Gandhi always advocated upliftment of women, ST and minorities.
Congress always strives to balance the big and smaller communities by giving  even a Chief Minister post to legislators from ST and minority groups such as Rishang Keishing and Abdul Salam, Ibobi added.