President of KNO, PS Haokip in a statement stated, “In line with the ongoing political dialogue between KNO and Government of India, the central government and ruling BJP leadership have promised swift settlement of Kuki political aspirations. Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shahji has announced the same in his public address on 23rd February, 2022 at Churachandpur public Ground. Therefore, KNO has resolved to extend support to all BJP candidates for the 12th Manipur Assembly elections”.
He added, “Accordingly, KNO appeals to all chiefs, CSO leaders and all voters to support BJP candidates in all KNO operational areas. Any person or organization acting contrary to this appeal will be deemed acting against Kuki interest.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said like the government did in Assam and Tripura, it will bring the all Kuki rebel groups to talks and hold discussion.
Shah while addressing election rallies in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi said that with the initiative of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government over 9,500 militants of various outfits in the northeastern region have surrendered to the government and peace has been prevailing in Manipur and other northeastern states.
Jairam Ramesh, the Congress party’s senior election observer for Manipur tweted, “Aap Chronology Samjihye 22.02.22: PM comes to Manipur 23.02.22: Union Home Minister comes to Manipur 25.02.22: Banned outfit Kuki National Organisation issues a statement supporting BJP & threatening voters. It’s a blatant violation of Model Code of Conduct. ECI MUST intervene!.”
In a memorandum to Chief Electoral officer, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) stated
, “The statement issued by the President of the banned Kuki National Organisation on February 25, 2022 is a direct and clear threat to the conduct of free and fair elections in the state of Manipur. It blatantly intimidates people to vote for the BJP holding out dire consequences to those who will not follow its instructions. This statement has been issued with the full knowledge and connivance of the Union Home Minister and the Chief Minister of Manipur”.
MPCC stated, “The Indian National Congress calls upon the Chief Election Commissioner and the Chief Electoral Officer to take the most serious and urgent note of this deliberate, dangerous, and diabolical statement that violates in unmistakable language the Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct and take urgent action to ensure that fear spread by the statement of the President of the KNO is completely removed”.
In the run to polls, the National People’s Party (NPP), a part of the BJP-led government in Manipur, has complained to the Election Commission that its candidates were being threatened by militants.
In a statement recently, the NPP said its candidates were being intimidated and abused in a targeted manner by several militant outfits. It alleged that outfits such as the KNF-MC, KNF-Z, UKLF, KNA and HPC (D) had openly come out in a “blatant support” of its opponent’s candidates from the BJP and the Naga People’s Front (NPF).
The elections to the 60-seat Manipur assembly would be held in two phases on February 28 and March 5.
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