The Chief Minister was speaking at a reception for the 42 elected congress candidates at Manipur Congress Bhawan at BT Road today.The function was attended by Luizinho Faleiro, AICC general secretary in charge of Manipur,Assam Health Minister,Hemanta Biswa Sarma,MPCC president Gaikhangam,MP Dr T Meinya,congress MLAs and other party workers.
The newly elected candidates were awarded a warm welcome and felicitated by the AICC general secretary.
The Chief minister in his speech further stated that the landslide victory by the congress is indeed his most memorable moment and thanked the public for the all out support. “ Though, the congress candidates were under heavy threat and attacked with guns and bombs, the supporters and the public have remain undeterred and have risked their lives with a brave stance. It shows that there is no room for violence in a democracy”, he said.
Ibobi further added that the congress candidates Victor Keishing and MK Preshow have risked their lives and defied the odds in their respective constituencies from a hill based underground organization.He stated that the underground organizations inclusive of the NSCN (IM) ,the NSCN(K) and the Kuki revolutionary outfits have given preference to having talks with the government. “We welcome the terms of the UGs ,and we are open to talks to bring peace in the state”, he said.
The CM mentioned that there may be errors made by the government but the need to have a settlement and to step unitedly towards bringing about development for the state. “As evident , the congress party has been supported by all the ethnic communities residing in the state. The congress has become a common platform to forge the fraternal ties among the different communities”. He mentioned that the Congress will concentrate on balancing development in the hills and valley areas and the gaps found lacking will be addressed. “We will prioritize the issues of health, education, power , law and order and better road connectivity holistically”, he said.
In a similar note, AICC general secretary L Faleiro showed appreciation to the public for the support given to the congress. “ The elections have been a trail and later a victory for the people of Manipur, despite the threats, intimidations, the people have shown their solidarity,love and appreciation”, he said.
He further mentioned that the public knows that congress party stands for development and inspite of the inherent problems, Manipur will progress. “AICC president Sonia Gandhi has also conveyed her wishes to the people for supporting the party”, he said.
MPCC president Gaikhangam also added that it was an unprecedented landslide victory and shows that the public trust the congress government. “It is also a victory of the people and we thank them”, he further stated that the promise made in 2007 to bring about a stable governance has been acknowledged and translated into action.
