IMPHAL, November 6: Whenever the BJP led NDA has come to power in the Centre, it has always targeted the territorial integrity of Manipur, Manipur deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam claimed at an election rally today.
The election campaign for Congress candidate of Thangmeiband Jyotin Waikhom was organised at the Nongda Leima Hall PLYO Club Thangmeiband.
Another campaign rally of the Congress for its candidate for Thongju Constituency Bijoy Koijam was also held at Uchekon Ta-khak Mapal community hall.
Gaikhangam said it was during the time of the NDA government under Atal Bihari Vajpayee that the Centre signed the agreement with NSCN (IM) with the clause ‘without territorial limit’ in Amsterdam which led to the loss of 18 brave souls in the State.
Now, under another BJP led government led by Narendra Modi, the NSCN (IM) Peace Accord was signed on August 3, which is still shrouded in mystery as the Centreis yet to reveal the details, Gaikhangam said.
He said the bye-election in the two constituencies is very crucial for the people of the State.
The Congress has always stood for unity and integrity of Manipur, he claimed.
Electing the two BJP candidates could only mean darkness, he continued.
The bye-election will be a fight between the Congress and the BJP, he said.
The Congress has a 130 years political experience dating back into the period of freedom movement, he continued.
Gaikhangam charged the BJP of being a communal party who has always discriminated the minority and endorsed only the Hindu religion.
Although it endorses only Hinduism, the BJP leaders are unaware of the central thinking of the religion which is tolerance, he said.
The BJP has no philosophy of peaceful co-existence, he continued.
The BJP is not just anti-Chirstian or anti-Muslim, but it is also anti-Hindu because of their divisional policies, Gaikhangam claimed.
He further appealed to the State BJP leaders to pressurise the Central government to come out with the details of the NSCN (IM) Peace Accord, and said the leaders can tender their resignation from being members of the BJP Manipur if the framework agreement include anything which will hurt the State.
Speaking at the campaign at Uchekon Ta-khak Mapal community hall, Gaikhangam said except for the Congress, no other party can bring development or unity in the State.
He said the people have faith in the Congress and as such have been electing the Congress candidates.
The people realise the presence of the BJP only during the times of elections, when its leaders would come out for publicity, he said.
The BJP had joined hands with the Naga Peoples Front which is also trying to damage the peace and tranquillity of Manipur, he said.
Giving the mandate to the Congress will mean saving the territorial and emotional integrity of the State, he added.
Congress respect the people of the State and encourages the feeling of oneness, he said.
The party has always been strong due to the support of the people, he added.
He further appealed to the people to support the party candidates in the bye-election.