IMPHAL, June 4: The BJP had colluded with various Suspension of Operations signatory groups to canvass for their candidates during the June 1 Autonomous District Council election, asserted State deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today.
He was speaking to media persons at a press conference held this afternoon 2:30 at the Congress Bhawan.
He claimed that ahead of the election, the BJP colluded with the KNF (German) group and captured booth at Henglep sub-division in Churachandpur, at Jouzangtek in Tamenglong the BJP joined hands with the KNF (Zougam) to terrorize the area and again used UKLF to help BJP candidates at Chandel.
The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president also claimed that armed cadres of SoO signatory groups were involved in threatening and intimidating village chiefs, Congress workers and candidates.
They also threatened polling personnel and election agents, he alleged.
It is because of all this incidents that re-poll will be conducted at several places, Gaikhangam who is also the Home minister said.
At the same time, the NSC (IM) backed NPF had warned everyone that no one should vote for the Congress and even if they are not voting for the NPF, they should vote for the BJP, Gaikhangam said adding that the NPF is a constituent party of the NDA government in the Centre.
All these resulted in the Congress being the victim at most places, Gaikhangam rued.
He further claimed that the BJP`™s earlier announcement to form an alliance with the NPF after the ADC election is only evident of all these developments.
He said there was mass booth capturing during the election. Everyone is aware of the threats and intimidation of polling personnel including security personnel, he added.
This is why we are drawing the attention of the Election Commission of India and political parties to develop a mechanism to put a check on all such violations, he said.
The June 18 incident was due to lack of political stability in the State and the inability of the public representatives to work according to the wants and desires of the public, he asserted.
Even today, the Congress will not encourage defection, he said.
The party properly checks the credentials of anyone coming to join the party first before allowing them to join he said adding further that the party will always understand the pulse of the public.
The Congress will also face any opposition in case of bye-election conducted in the three Assembly Constituencies, he said.