Congress Legislative Party leader Okram Ibobi Singh described the selfishness of the then Congress MLA Ngamthang Haokip who had joined BJP just after the 2017 election. He asked after he joined the BJP, and then what had he done for Saitu Constituency. During the Congress regime, there was a plan for a permanent centre of Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) at Mayangkhang with acquiring 150 acres of land investing around Rs. 7 to 8 crores. A 33X11 KV sub-station was also installed for 24X7 power supply for the IT centre. “What is the progress of the construction for the permanent centre of IIIT, which was opened temporarily at Mantri Pukhri”, he asked.

Former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh was addressing at the Flag Hoisting Ceremony of Dr Lamtingthang Haokip, INC Candidate of 51-Saitu Assembly Constituency on Monday at Kholep Village.

He stated that the bye-election would not have happened if the Congress MLA Ngamthang Haokip had not resigned. Bye-election usually occurred when the sitting MLA expired untimely and there was a necessity to fill up the vacancy to represent the constituency. He asked why Ngamthang had resigned abandoning the constituency. Everyone must question him the reason. The reason was for his selfishness and personal advantages, not for the people of Saitu Constituency. It was very shameful at this age.

Criticising the ruling BJP government, Okram Ibobi Singh asked for the meaning of “Go to Hills”, “Go to Village”, “Go to Schools” and whether the hills or villages were fully developed. “What is the meaning of financial package? Financial packages are generally announced by the Prime Minister. Here in Manipur, the Chief Minister has announced financial packages for hill districts including Kangpokpi. How many crores of rupees have been announced for Kangpokpi District? Whether the packages for Kangpokpi have been completely translated into action? “, he asked.

He described the present BJP government was a publicity and propaganda government which was not trustworthy. During 15 years of Congress regime, five years were under BJP regime in the Centre. The Congress Government in Manipur had demanded all State’s share and ran the government effectively, he stated.

He mentioned that Dr Lamtinthang Haokip was well educated and dynamic youth who was well connected with the intellectuals in the country. His candidature was proposed by the Saitu Congress Block Committee and the proposal was submitted to the Indian National Congress. Then Sonia Gandhi had accepted him for the candidature. He described Saitu constituency as Mini India where different communities were settled. “We must respect each other with a feeling that we are one. I request everyone to cast your valuable vote to Dr Lamtinthang Haokip who has in his heart to work for a change”, He added.

Speaking on the occasion, former Deputy Chief Minister and the CWC member Gaikhangam said, “When people are facing various hardships, when the harvesting season has arrived, our people are facing another hardship that is this bye-election. This is due to some incompetent and irresponsible MLAs who treated their people as a part of their trade and they resigned without consideration of the people. It is a misfortune that people are going to face this bye-election when the case of COVID-19 is rising up to thousands day by day. And the people who made this kind of misfortune are sinners. And those sinners do not even deserve to represent in this election”. He further added, “Blinded by their greed of power and money, they could not see the power of the people. I want everyone to show the power of a citizen and make them respect you. They should respect and love their people. When we choose our career, we should consider our talent and never ignore our callings otherwise our motherland will always be in chaos. Politicians too, if they know their place and their responsibility and serve the people diligently, only then our State will turn into a prosperous and peaceful one”.

Lastly he requested all the people to give their blessings and help Dr. Lamtinthang Haokip, who is a well-qualified candidate representing Congress Party and also chosen by Sonia Gandhi, win this bye-election for Saitu Constituency.

Dr. Lamtinthang Haokip, INC Candidate for Saitu Assembly Constituency spoke on the power of the youth in bringing change in Saitu and Manipur as a whole and how the youths are the agent for change. He said, “As a youth myself, speaking for all youths, our elders need to be paid back for all their years of hard work in raising us and shaping our lives. It is time to bring change and pay back our parents and elders with a better Manipur than the one they came across.”

“Regarding rural development especially for the people of Saitu A/C, I would like to put it simply that in the olden times, we used to be the only beneficiary but in this digital age of the 21^st century, we can no longer be called beneficiary and instead be referred to as an entrepreneur. The youth needs to come up and take this responsibility as well for the betterment of Saitu and Manipur as a whole.”

Speaking to the people, Dr. Lamtinthang emphasised on the importance of women empowerment. He said, “I would like to focus on the empowerment of women. To my sisters and mothers, many people may tell you women have less power in decision making starting from family to society but I tell you today, in front of our party leaders that women can make a lot of difference to bring a change in Saitu A/C and in Manipur as well.”

Dr. Lamtinthang appealed, “To all the respected people of Saitu that came here today to support me, I would like to say that we do not want the election to be done with muscle power or money power. What we want is for the youth to lead in Saitu Kendra as well as Manipur, backed by the elders. So I request everyone gathered here to see me as your own brother and son and please cast your valuable vote to INC candidate, myself Lamtinthang in the coming by-election.”

Chief Whip of CLP, Govindas Konthoujam said, “If we want to bring a change, I request everyone to elect the person who will listen to all of us and lead us to a better Saitu and Manipur. If the youth are united, it is very easy to bring change in this constituency, our state and even the entire country. That is the power of the youth.”

“I would like to point out that BJP, since coming to power in 2014 has not put forward any useful scheme or project beneficial to the people. The only thing they have done is renaming already existing schemes that were made by the Congress. Congress is always practical but BJP goes for the propaganda”, he stated.

Govindas Konthoujam further said, “Let us all open our eyes, Ngamthang Haokip will shower you with money and you can take lots from him but when it comes to the vote, please cast it to our very young and dynamic candidate Dr. Lamtinthang Haokip.”

MPCC President Moirangthem Okendra, who presided over the function said, “Let us not give support to the kind of politics where only one culture or certain religion is being considered. Let us not make them exercise communal politics.  I consider this kind of party (BJP) not fit to govern a secular state, because they based on one religion and one culture and prohibit other culture’s norms which are against their favoured religion.”

“We need a well-educated leader who can change Saitu, someone who can give his contribution to Saitu as well as to the State Legislative Assembly as a representative of Saitu. It was always a dream but this dream is going to become a reality with Lamtinthang as a leader. He is the most reliable, unique and well-educated candidate suitable to be a leader of Saitu. And we have full trust on Lamtinthang that he will change Saitu”, he said.

He appealed to everyone to give their valuable vote to Dr. Lamtinthang Haokip and help him win this bye-election.