BJP releasing dues to ultras ahead of polls, Congress tells EC

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the second phase of polling in Manipur, Congress on Friday petitioned the Election Commission with allegations that the ruling BJP is influencing the elections by releasing pending payments to banned militant outfits during the polls, while the underground groups are intimidating the voters in favour of BJP.

A delegation of Congress leaders

Jairam Ramesh

and Salman Khurshid met the chief election commissioner and the two election commissioners with a list of grievances. Ramesh had earlier demanded repolling in nine assembly seats in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts which voted in the first phase, alleging they were influenced by the banned

Kuki National Outfit

(

KNO

), which issued a statement asking voters to cast ballots in favour of BJP.

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Ramesh said Congress apprised the poll watchdog of “BJP’s ‘goondagardi’ tactics which made a mockery of the first phase of voting. “We urged them to intervene and maintain greater vigil to ensure free and fair polls in the second phase tomorrow,” he said.

Meeting the ECI ahead of second phase of polling on Saturday, the Congress delegation also raised the issue of the BJP-led state government releasing funds to militant groups under the suspension of operations agreement despite the model code of conduct being in force. Ramesh said it was shocking that the payments which were held back for one year, were released during the voting.

Congress questioned the state’s release of Rs 15.70 crore on February 1 and Rs 92.65 lakh on March 1.

The party also linked the payments to the statement issued by KNO in favour of the BJP which also threatened the voters of dire consequences. It said the banned outfits were indulging in voter intimidation. Ramesh said despite their concern, six people accused of poll violence which led to a murder, were released on bail this week in Heirok.