Imphal, Feb 20: The Indian National Congress (INC) party in Manipur on Monday has promise ‘to urge’ the centre to provide constitutional safeguards for the territorial integrity of Manipur. Besides, it will strive to remove the AFSPA from the state as done in seven assembly constituencies of Imphal.
Likewise, the party has assured to work to ensure employment to three lakh educated unemployed youths through skill development in five years time. Further, it has assured a Manipur start up policy as top priority ‘if the party is voted to power again this time.’
This was stated by state Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh while speaking about the 19-point 21-page bi-lingual manifesto at the Congress Bhavan in the evening.
The manifesto was released by General Secretary Dr CP Joshi of the All India Congress Committee. Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and President TN Haokip of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee besides most of the Congress MLAs and candidates attended the event.Okram Ibobi claimed that most of the commitment his party made during the last assembly polls in 2012 had been fulfilled while ‘some of the incomplete ones including the assured irrigation projects’ were ‘almost ready for inauguration.’ He asserted that his party would provide drinking water to all households in the state by 2022 besides providing free Wi-fi internet connectivity in Imphal municipal area and further expansion to other towns, if the party comes to power this time.
Also, he accused the central authorities of “politics” over the proposed setting up of a national sports university in the state besides the establishment of a national film institute in the north east region.
The state government had acquired adequate land to set up a sports university but so far there has been no sign of introducing a (sports varsity) bill in the parliament not to speak of construction works, he alleged.
The Congress releases its manifesto about twelve days ahead of the 11th Manipur assembly elections on Monday. Manipur goes to two-phase polls on March 4 and the 8th to elect new members to the 60-member state assembly.
On Sunday, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh accompanied by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Assam Finance minister Hemanta Biswa Sarma and BJP Manipur Pradesh Chief Kh Bhavananda, released a 10-point ‘vision document 2017’ for the polls in Imphal.
The BJP document promises firm commitment to protect Manipur’s territorial integrity, culture and its people, one job to every household, health insurance to BPL citizens, piped drinking water to every household, housing to all homeless citizens, all-weather four-lane road connection to every district, free education to women till graduation etc as their priorities.
Manipur candidates and constituency updates
For the forthcoming 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly election, 43 candidates will contest in the 10 assembly constituencies of Thoubal district which goes to the polls in the second phase. Today, on the last day of withdrawal, no candidate has withdrawn their candidature.
The number of candidates who are contesting in each of the assembly constituencies: 30-Lilong A/C: 7 candidates; 31-Thoubal A/C: 5 candidates; 32-Wangkhem A/C: 5 candidates;33-Heirok A/C: 5 candidates; 34-Wangjing-Tentha A/C: 5 candidates; 35-Khangabok A/C: 3 candidates; 36-Wabagai A/C: 6 candidates; 37-Kakching A/C: 3 candidates; 38-Hiyanglam and 39-Sugnu A/C: 2 candidates each.
Eleven candidates are in the fray in 41-Chandel and 42-Tengnoupal assembly constituency with the withdrawal of candidature by an independent candidate KB Kothang in Tengnoupal assembly constituency on the last day of withdrawal of candidature today.
Earlier, seven candidates in 41-Chandel assembly constituency and five in 42-Tengoupal assembly constituency filed nomination papers for the second phase of the assembly elections to be held on March 8.
Four candidates who will vie for Tengnoupal seat are Khulpuwa Armstrong Charang (NPF), D Korungthang (INC), Yangkholet Haokip (BJP) and Kh David Maring (NPP).
Candidates who are in the fray in Chandel assembly constituency are BD Behring Anal (PDA), Chungjalen Haokip (INC), SS Olish (BJP), Thangkholun Haokip (TMC), ST Victor Nunghlung (NPF), Letpao Haokip (NPP) and TS Warngam (IND).
Meanwhile, the First Level Checking of additional 51 electronic voting machines (EVMs) which are to be utilised in the elections in respect of 41-Chandel and 42-Tengnoupal assembly constituencies was conducted by authorized engineers of Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL) in the presence of representatives of various political parties at the DRDA Training hall of the DC office complex in Chandel today.
Central observers arrive
To ensure free and fair elections, Central Observers of the ECI arrived today at Tamenglong district and had a lengthy meeting with the DEO and high ranking officials of police and paramilitary forces.
Power point presentations associated with electoral work in Tamenlong district were also given by poll officials. Sudeep Jain, Director General of the ECI, also enquired about the condition of road, transport, vehicle, accommodation, electricity, toilet and water facilities. He urged officials to be ready five days prior to the polling date. Kailun, IG (LO) of Manipur Police also discussed with the officials of the CRPF, Assam Rifles, Sikh Regiment and police officials of the district. CEO of Manipur, VK Dewangan, was also in the meeting.
