Imphal, Jul 24 : Manipur bristled with anger today after its Naga MP’s admission in Lok Sabha yesterday that he had agreed to vote for the UPA only because he was assured that the clause in the common minimum programme, which promised not to compromise the territorial integrity of Manipur, would be re-examined.
Mani Charenamei, MP from Outer Manipur constituency, drew the ire of leading groups and political parties in the state today which vowed to oppose any move by the Centre to divide the state to please the NSCN (I-M).Charenamei is known for his open support to the demand for integration of all Naga-inhabited areas under one administrative unit, one of the main demands of the NSCN (I-M).
The CPI, a partner in the Congress-led Secular Progressive Front ministry headed by Okram Ibobi Singh, was the first to react strongly to the claim made by the MP.
A senior CPI leader from the state, B. Sharma, termed the MP’s statement very unfortunate and added that his party would not tolerate it.
“The UPA’s common minimum programme was framed by the then constituent partners of the UPA and the integrity provision was made in the larger interest of the country and the Northeast. The Left parties will fight inside and outside Parliament if the UPA tries to violate or change the common minimum programme,” Sharma said.
He said the CPI would seek a clarification from the Congress’s central leadership on the MP’s claim through the Manipur PCC.
Finding itself in the middle of a fresh storm over the boundary issue, the PCC is adopting a wait-and-watch policy. The party’s general secretary, Bidyapati Senjam, said the PCC was not aware of any change of stand by the AICC on safeguarding boundaries of the northeastern states. “The MP has only made a statement. It would be too early for the PCC to react. Let the UPA be reconstituted after the departure of the Left parties.”
The All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation, campaigning for safeguarding territorial integrity of Manipur, condemned the reported assurance given by the UPA to the MP. “We will not remain silent if the UPA makes any step to change boundaries of Manipur in its effort to stay in power,” Y. Koireng, its president, said.
The United Committee, Manipur slammed Charenamei for working “against the interest” of the Manipuri people.
0 comments:
Post a Comment