Ibobi takes swipe at ‘cheap’ propaganda

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 28 : CLP leader and former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has said that spreading cheap propaganda and indulging in cheap political gimmicks including numerous flag and poster campaigns will never be able to win the hearts and souls of the people.
O Ibobi made the remark during the 137th foundation day of Indian National Congress held at Congress Bhavan at BT Road and added that he had never seen the likes of BJP Government in the State whose leaders are all engaged in installing big billboards featuring their party leaders.
Terming those activities as cheap propaganda, O Ibobi said the Congress party will never stoop that low.
Ridiculing the current Government for taking credit for developmental works, O Ibobi said except for some modification of road medians and a couple of foot-bridges, all the other projects were started by the Congress during their tenure. Schemes like NFSA, NREGS, RTE Act and NRHM were started during UPA rule while the Narendra Modi led BJP Government has been engaged in renaming schemes from the previous Government, he mocked.
O Ibobi added that the media and the public are well aware of the facts regarding the developmental works executed by the Congress and need not be compared with BJP.
Recalling the role of INC during India's freedom struggle, O Ibobi said Mahatma  Gandhi's non-violence played an important role in India's struggle and added that the Congress party still believes in non-violence. He also expressed confidence that justice will be served in connection to the Heirok incident.
He also appealed all the party workers to work together with the people to ensure the party a win by absolute majority in the upcoming 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly election.
Speaking at the event, MPCC president N Loken said the failure of BJP in the upcoming election will come not from Congress party candidates but because of the fight between the number of intending candidates within BJP.
He added that the misuse of power by BJP will be over by the first week of January after the code of conduct comes into effect. And by the middle of March, a Congress led Government will be formed in the State, he added.
The programme was also attended by CWC member and former Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and MLA TN Haokip as presidium members.