Manipur Election 2017: State Congress chief says BJP is only changing names of UPA programmes

Launching a scathing attack on the Centre, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president TN Haokip alleged that the government has done nothing since it came to power in 2014.

Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president TN Haokip. Amukhomba Ngangban

"Most of the so-called developmental works which are now carried out by the BJP government are the projects and policies introduced by UPA government. The BJP is just changing the names of the UPA programmes”, Haokip said.

Exuding confidence of a Congress victory in the Manipur Assembly polls, Haokip predicted that his party would win 40 out of 60 seats and said communal and divisive elements such as the BJP would not win even 10 seats.

Rebutting the BJP's claim of forming government in Manipur after Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, Haokip said, “After deceiving the people of Assam, BJP has been trying to bluff the people of Manipur. But Manipur and Assam are different and BJP will realise this after the election”.

The Congress leader said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assurance that the economic blockade would be lifted within three days if  BJP comes to power clearly showed who was behind the blockade and who instigated it. He said that BJP and UNC are two sides of a coin.

Stating that the Congress would return to power as the people were with them, Haokip said the party had been working hard  for  the development of Manipur under  tremendous  pressure and obstacles for 15 years. “In the past 15 years, we have gone through so many sunny days,  so  many  cloudy  days and  rainy  days,  yet  we  have been doing everything for the development of the state”, Haokip said.

The MPCC president  further added  that  BJP  has  been bringing hardship to the people and tears to the eyes of many with its policies such as demonetization and economic blockades.

He said that the Congress’ stand to protect the territorial integrity of Manipur was clear. He added that the party would urge the Centre to enact a constitutional safeguard to protect the integrity of Manipur, which has been listed foremost in the party's manifesto.

Taking a dig at the BJP's promise to provide a job to each household and provide piped water to all the people, Haokip asked whether BJP has done any research on the matter. "Imphal alone faces potable water shortage of 20,000 to 30,000 million litres in a day. Replacement of the old water pipes laid underground in Imphal area would cost Rs 1400 crore," he said.

"If BJP is sincere enough, they should disclose the contents of the framework agreement," TN Haokip said.  “BJP is claiming they will win 40 seats. Everything will be clear after 11 March."