Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee MPCC president Govindas Konthoujam on Sunday came down heavily on the BJP led state government over its recent celebration for completion of four years with the tag “Citizen Centric Government”.
When there is no freedom of expression and when the common people have no right to speak the truth, how can the government say it is “citizen centric”, Govindas asserted.
“Our fundamental rights are being curtailed by this government, both at the centre and in the state,” he added and also asked, “Is the media functioning independently? Can people speak what is in their heart freely?”
The MPCC president was speaking to media persons on the sidelines of the observance of the 40th anniversary of Konthoujam Gojendro, held at his residence at Ningthoukhong Bazar.
Govindas further said that in the 15 years of Congress rule in the state, it never indulged in such celebration where the streets are lit up and gateways are set up in the streets because “we didn’t want to waste money”. We didn’t want cheap popularity, he added.
“Congress believes in work, not propaganda,” he asserted.
The Bishnupur AC MLA further said the Bishnupur police visited the home of a kid for merely commenting on a post by the chief minister N Biren Singh on a social media platform.
“Was it seditious,” he asked.
Maintaining that people already know the truth, Govindas said that the time has come for the people to open their eyes and minds.
Insinuating that the present regime is a “master of manipulation”, the MPCC president asked, “How long will they manipulate? How long will they bluff the people?”
Old age and widows pensions and gifts were distributed as part of the occasion. Govindas said his father, Konthoujam Gojendro, was fond of social services and the trust in his name has been engaging in different forms of such activities. It will continue even after retiring from active politics, he added.
The Frontier Manipur