Guwahati: The National People’s Party, one of the main contestants in Manipur’s elections and a member of the NDA, has filed complaints with the Election Commission stating that militant organisations had attacked and threatened its candidates.
In its complaint, the NPP, which is also in power in Meghalaya and is led by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, claims that violent organisations, primarily Kuki and Hmar factions, are campaigning for the BJP and another NDA member, the Naga People’s Front. The three parties that made up the ruling coalition in the state’s departing government.
As per the reports of TOI, the party stated, “We also demand that our candidates contesting the election from various sections of the state receive proper security coverage.”
Ashok Singhal, the BJP’s election co-ordinator in Manipur and an Assam cabinet minister, disputed the NPP’s charges. “The BJP has no ties to any militant organisations. Whatever the NPP has said is solely a matter of law and order, and the administration will look into it,” reports claimed.
“The NPP is making these crazy charges because it has realised that it is losing public support and is concerned about the BJP’s growing popularity,” he continued.
According to NPF President Awangbou Newmai, “These accusations are both false and unwarranted. The NPP is relying on lies and propaganda. We entered politics in this country with the goal of bringing peace and prosperity, but the NPP wants to seize power. It has wreaked havoc on the coalition government and betrayed the alliance in the last five years,” reports further claimed.