The Manipur branch of the AAP released its election manifesto on Saturday by the general Inner Manipur constituency candidate Ibomcha Khwairakpam at the press club. Hareswor Goswami, the convener clarified that some elements had issued a “fake” manifesto on Friday night to some newspaper offices. This is unofficial since the persons behind it have no authority to do so.
Those persons are members of the state preparatory committee of the AAP. But an order issued by the national executive of the AAP on February 9, 2014 says that the newly formed State Campaign Committee shall override all committees which are to be kept in abeyance till elections are over. The national leaders had been informed about the misdeeds for taking up disciplinary actions which may include expulsion from the party.
The major pre-election promises of the AAP include rooting out corruption and repealing the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958. One booklet and an audio cassette were also released. These will be distributed to the voters.
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The leaders said that compared to other big national parties, the AAP is nowhere in election expenses. They are striving for the involvement of the youth in ushering a free and fair election without black money. They said that there has been electrifying response from many sections of the people. In fact they find it almost impossible to address election meetings. Incidentally the AAP candidate in the general seat is the only candidate who had spurned government offer for armed security guard. He said that he has nobody to fear since he has nothing to hide.
This is for the first time in Manipur’s elections that a party is contesting on a shoe string budget.