Cong: BJP reduced AFSPA to 'organised violence act'

New Delhi: Congress' Manipur in-charge Bhakta Charan Das on Sunday accused the BJP of reducing AFSPA to an "organised violence" act to target citizens, and asserted that the demand for its repeal was a "big issue" in Manipur but the BJP was "not respecting" people's views.

The Congress, which has promised to work towards the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, or AFSPA, if voted to power in Manipur assembly polls, has slammed the BJP for being “silent” on the act in its manifesto.

In an interview with PTI, Das rejected suggestions that not having announced a chief ministerial face could hamper the Congress' chances in Manipur and said the party has several capable leaders, including former CM Okram Ibobi Singh who is active and a "very strong face" for the leadership of the state.

The Congress' Manipur in-charge exuded confidence that the party would form government in Manipur and get around 35-40 seats in the 60-member assembly. Das claimed that the anti-incumbency factor was very strong against the N Biren Singh government as it had "failed" to fulfil even a single poll promise.

"This is a Congress-minded state. Consecutively there was a Congress government for three terms which shows the foundation of Congress is strong in the state. The BJP came to power not by the mandate of the people but did a sort of management and remained in power in an illegal manner," he said, adding that despite the high court's order, 12 MLAs remained in office unconstitutionally.

"Government was busy in corruption and tackling their own problems and that of their allies. Not a single poll promise they fulfilled, so anti-incumbency is very strong," he said.