Ibobi Singh Slams BJP Over Election Cash Handouts

Imphal: Former Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh hit out at the BJP on Thursday. He accused the Modi administration of using welfare handouts to buy votes in poll-bound states. The Congress leader spoke at a gathering in Imphal, calling out the government for handing women ten thousand rupees ahead of upcoming elections.

The money comes from the public exchequer. It does not come from the Prime Minister. Ibobi argued that genuine empowerment needs real policy work, not quick cash grabs. He suggested that if the state cannot support every woman, it should at least target aid by category.

Ibobi lashed out at federal overreach. He insisted that New Delhi has no right to meddle in state business. He warned that the ruling party is pushing the country toward autocracy. The veteran politician stated, "The Centre may pull down a government, replace a Chief Minister, but we may rather die than live and govern the state at their mercy and diktat."

He reminded the crowd of Manipur’s history. The state stood as an independent nation for thousands of years before the 1949 merger with India. He remains frustrated that federal leaders ignore local concerns. Ibobi urged citizens to protect the Constitution and push back against the current power grab at the ballot box.