The "CM Da Haisi" programme of the BJP-led government is a mere "joke" to coax the general public for the sake of vote banks, alleged AICC Manipur in-charge Bhakta Charan Das.
He was speaking to the media during the launching of "Sarkar Taribra" of the Congress party at the office of MPCC in Imphal on Wednesday.
Das said the "Sarkar Taribra" has been launched to find out if the Manipur government has indeed been listening to problems shared with the chief minister and what has been done to resolve them with the "CM Da Haisi".
"It is obvious that this is a PR tactic for the CM. There is no transparency on how and if the issues of the people are being redressed," he said questioning, "Are the other ministries involved or even are of all the issues being raised or is this only for the promotion of the CM?"
After four and a half years of repressing the voices of Manipuri people and imposing implicit restrictions on freedom of expression, it is ironic that now before elections, the CM wants people to talk to him, he said, questioning, "Why will people express their opinions when their CM is known for targeting people who point out problems?"
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He recalled the arbitrary arrest of a journalist during Biren's rule for speaking out on cow's urine.
He said that everyone knows that the CM won't share an honest public report of the issues he has resolved through CM Da Haisi. However as the largest opposition party in the state, the INC has the right to demand transparency and accountability from the CM, Das added.
Considering all these facts, the Congress has launched the Sarkar Taribra, he said, requesting the public to forward the grievance lodged in the CM helpline to the Congress' helpline as well.
"Any person who has not called the CM for fear of being targeted can also call our helpline," he added.
Das continued that the Congress volunteers and members will track the resolution of these grievances and follow up on behalf of the citizen and hold the CM accountable.
Asserting that Congress has always been a strong proponent of freedom of expression, he appealed to the people of Manipur to speak to them without any fear of reprisal.
During the programme, an official YouTube channel of INC was launched, which will include regular coverage of INC Manipur's activities and initiatives along with updates on Sarkar Taribra.
