Imphal, Feb 26 : The Congress party has lodged a complaint to the Election Commission of India alleging election code violation by the BJP in Manipur. Jairam Ramesh, AICC Senior Election Observer, Manipur, Salman Khurshid, Former Union Minister, and former Chief Minister O Ibobi on Saturday submitted a memorandum to the CEO, Manipur. Ramesh said on February 22 the Prime Minister came to Manipur and the next day the Union Home Minister visited the state. The Kuki National Organisation (KNO) on February 25 asked all Village Chiefs and people to support the BJP. “Please see the chronology,” Jairam said.
The KNO has threatened the people of Manipur to vote for a particular political party, Jairam said. He alleged that the BJP for electoral gains worked”hand in gloves” with all militant outfits and anti-social elements. ” It is against the Constitution, ” he said. In a memorandum, submitted to the Election Commission, it was stated that the “statement issued by the president of the banned Kuki National Organisation on February 25 is a direct and clear threat to the conduct of free and fair election in the state of Manipur.” It said, “The KNO blatantly intimidates people to vote for the BJP holding out dire consequences to those who will not follow its instructions.
This statement has been issued with the full knowledge and connivance of the Union Home Minister and the Chief Minister of Manipur.” The Indian National Congress called upon the Chief Election Commissioner and the Chief Electoral Officer “to take the most serious and urgent note of this deliberate, dangerous, and diabolical statement that violates in unmistakable language the Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct and take urgent action to ensure that fear spread by the statement of the president of the KNO is completely removed.” Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to mostly Kuki dominated areas of Manipur assured to end Kuki militancy problem if BJP returns to power.
With UNI inputs
