Sources have stated that Union Minister Prakash Javadekar had disclosed on Monday that the Bharatiya Janata Party is planning a Congress-free Manipur. The Human Resource Development Minister was talking to reporters in the BJP office here on the conclusion of his two-day visit to Manipur to short-list the names of the party candidates for the 60 assembly constituencies.
Manipur goes to polls in two phases on 4 and 8 March and Javadekar has said "The final list of the BJP candidates will be released shortly before the nomination of papers. Every BJP member has the right to aspire for the party ticket." However, each case would be examined by the election committee of ten parties for allotting tickets.
The Union Minister has said that "Since law and order is a state subject, we cannot do anything except to rush paramilitary forces on request. But Ibobi is not making use of the forces to gain political mileage". However, a Congress leader said "Despite the Manipur government's request for 60 companies of paramilitary forces, the Center has sent just 29 companies and it is not enough."
Javadekar had also accused the Chief Minister of not reacting to his call for resignation. However, the Congress leader has said that "Ibobi has been away in Delhi for party works. Javadekar will get a befitting reply when Ibobi is back." The Union Minister also said that despite the people of Manipur suffering as a result of the blockade, the Manipur government refused to take part in the tripartite talks arranged by the Centre.
