Campaigning a low-key affair in Manipur
With Manipur going to the polls in 10 days, campaigning in the state is a low-key affair this time with candidates restricting themselves to hoisting flags and door-to-door campaigning. Loud speakers and posters are missing in action.
The candidates are focussing on erratic power supply, scarcity of drinking water, insurgency and the government’s inability to keep the highways safe and secure.
The state hardly witnessed a major public meeting with a considerable turnout ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled for January 28, thanks to the restrictions imposed by different insurgent outfits, sources said.
According to reports: “It is silent all over unlike in the past.” However, political observers opine that such restrictions are “not advisable.”
Meanwhile, seven insurgent outfits have banned campaigning by the Congress on the pretext that the party was against ‘revolutionary movement’ in Manipur. Moreover, bomb blast and grenade explosions, injuring people and destroying property, have been reported from across the state. The outfits have even gone to the extent of issuing statements claiming that any person disobeying the instructions would face the consequences.
Sources in the election office said candidates have been advised against campaigning after dark.
However, all the candidates have been provided adequate security. Of the 350 companies of security personnel to be deployed in the state for the election, 218 have already arrived, sources said.
Reports from district interiors said, unlike previous years, no community feasts were organised to woo the voters because of restrictions imposed by the Election Commission.
Sources in the election office said the police are keeping a close tab on the expenditures by candidates and their supporters to minimise corruption in the polls.
