Okram Ibobi Sing on the flag hoisting of Indian National Congress (INC) candidate Dr Lamtinthang Haokip for 51-Saitu Assembly constituency held at Kholep village on Monday, described the present BJP government a “publicity and propaganda government”.
By-election would not have been necessary had the former Congress MLA Ngamthang Haokip did not resign, Okram Ibobi Singh said, adding that his was a “selfish and personal advantage and not for the people in the constituency”, he added.
Okram Ibobi Singh criticized the ruling BJP government, and asked for the meaning of “Go to Hills”, “Go to Village”, “Go to Schools” and whether the hills or villages were fully developed. “What is the meaning of financial package? Financial packages are generally announced by the Prime Minister. Here in Manipur, the Chief Minister has announced financial packages for hill districts including Kangpokpi. How many crores of rupees have been announced for Kangpokpi District? Whether the packages for Kangpokpi have been completely translated into action? “, he asked.
“During the Congress regime, there was a plan for a permanent centre of Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) at Mayangkhang with acquiring 150 acres of land investing around Rs. 7 to 8 crores. A 33X11 KV sub-station was also installed for 24X7 power supply for the IT centre. “What is the progress of the construction for the Parmanent centre of IIIT, which was opened temporarily at Mantri Pukhri”, he asked.
With the acceptance for Dr Lamtinthang Haokip candidature by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, Okram Ibobi Singh described Saitu constituency as Mini India, and showered praise to Dr Haokip saying he is “well educated and dynamic youth”.
Also speaking on the occasion, former Deputy Chief Minister and the CWC member Gaikhangam said it was all due to “incompetent and irresponsible MLAs who treated their people as a part of their trade and they resigned without consideration of the people”. Putting the onus on BJP during harvest season and amidst COVID-19, Gaikhangam said those “sinners do not even deserve to represent in this election”.
Accusing the BJP of being “blinded by their greed of power and money, they could not see the power of the people”.
Dr Lamtinthang Haokip, spoke on the power of youth in bringing change to Saitu and Manipur, as well as the importance of empowering women in decision making in family to society, saying, “today, in front of our party leaders that women can make a lot of difference to bring a change in Saitu A/C and in Manipur as well”.
He said, “As a youth myself, speaking for all youths, our elders need to be paid back for all their years of hard work in raising us and shaping our lives. It is time to bring change and pay back our parents and elders with a better Manipur than the one they came across”.
“Regarding rural development especially for the people of Saitu A/C, I would like to put it simply that
in the olden times, we used to be only beneficiary but in this digital age of the 21 st century, we can no
longer be called beneficiary and instead be referred to as entrepreneur. The youth needs to come up
and take this responsibility as well for the betterment of Saitu and Manipur as a whole”, he added.
Chief Whip of CLP, Govindas Konthoujam in the flag hoisting occasion said, “If we want to bring a change, I request everyone to elect the person who will listen to all of us and lead us to a better Saitu and Manipur. If the youth are united, it is very easy to bring change in this constituency, our state and even the entire country. That is the power of the youth.” He urged people of Saitu to cast their vote to the “young and dynamic candidate Dr Lamtinthang Haokip.”
MPCC President Moirangthem Okendra, emphasized not to support politics played in the name of culture, and religion, saying “let us not make them exercise communal politics” in a secular state.
He assured that Dr Lamtinthang is “reliable, unique and well-educated candidate suitable to be a leader of Saitu”.
About The Author
