Ex-CM Ibobi mocks BJP’s ‘Congress-mukt Bharat’

Former Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh on Friday mocked BJP’s “Congress-mukt Bharat” campaign while asserting that “it is the people who will decide the fate of a (political) party”.
Singh said that the setback of BJP’s aggressive campaign against the Congress party has already been shown when the people of Manipur elected Congress candidates in the last elections to the Lok Sabha when Congress candidates won both the Lok Sabha seats from Manipur in the general election to the Lok Sabha held in 2024.
“This shows that BJP’s allegation and counter-allegations campaigns cannot decide the fate of the Congress but it is the people who will decide,” he said.
Singh reiterated that the future of the Congress party lies in the hands of the people and not in the hand of the BJP.
The people still have trust in the Congress, he added.
Singh was talking to the reporters on the sideline of the observance of the 9th death anniversary of former chief minister and Congress leader Rishang Keishing held in Imphal’s Congress Bhavan. The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) remembered the former chief minister and longest-serving parliamentarian from Manipur as a Congress leader who dedicated his life for the preservation of Manipur’s integrity.
MPCC president K Meghachandra, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader and former chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Gaikhangam, and other senior leaders joined party workers in paying their respects to the late leader.
Rishang Keishing was a true statesman, who dedicated his life to peace, unity and his public service, the MPCC wrote in posts on its social media platforms.
It added, “His enduring vision continues to inspire us all in our collective journey toward a more inclusive and harmonious India.” Former chief minister O Ibobi Singh, while recalling the life and legacy of Rishang Keishing, said that his dedication to preserving the integrity of the state cannot be forgotten.
Throughout his life, Rishang Keishing worked tirelessly for bridging the divide between the hills and the valleys.
“Till his last breath, he advised Congress workers to work for the upholding the unity and integrity of the state,” Singh said.
He (Rishang Keishing) always said that Manipur must remain united and that no compromise should ever be made on its territorial integrity,” the former chief minister added.
Rishang Keishing (25 October 1920-22 August 2017) was an Indian politician from Manipur who served as chief minister of the state from 1980 to 1988 and from 1994 to 1998.
He was also the longest-serving parliamentarian of the country. He was the first MP from Manipur in the Lok Sabha.
He got elected in 1952 and also represented Manipur in the Rajya Sabha for two terms.