Imphal, Sept. 30: The CPI, a partner in the Okram Ibobi Singh-led Secular Progressive Front (SPF) government, today demonstrated its strength on the 115th birth anniversary of communist leader Hijam Irabot Singh with an eye on the forthcoming Assembly election.

Party leaders who addressed the function at Imphal Polo ground avoided mentioning the ongoing economic blockade or any other issue that could anger its partner, the Congress, but called on the people not to sell their votes.

The next Assembly election will be held before March next year.

The CPI observes this day in memory of Irabot Singh, who launched a farmers’ movement and campaigned against the Union government’s move to form Purbanchal Province by bringing regions in the Northeast together. The CPI, which has been sharing power with the Congress in the two successive SPF ministries, made it a point to display its strength on Irabot Day today.

Red party flags were put up along the roads and attendance of party cadres in the state was ensured.

The party also ensured that members of 89 units of Manipur Nupi Marup, the women’s wing of the CPI, took part in the march past. The women’s groups came from Assembly constituencies in the valley.

Women dressed in bright colours and armed with sickles and hammers saluted the life-sized photo of Irabot Singh, placed at the venue of the programme.

The CPI conveyed the message to the masses that the party was following in the footsteps of Irabot Singh and it stood for farmers and the working class.

Though sharing power for two terms, the relationship between CPI and Congress has never been good. Congress ministers are on record saying the CPI was a burden on the Congress government, while the CPI charged that the Congress did not take its partner into confidence while taking major decisions.

The CPI has four members in the Ibobi Singh ministry which has 34 members and is supported by some Independents. “Elections have become a contest of well-heeled people. Fates of candidates are decided by money power. Voters should not exchange their democratic rights with cash,” agriculture minister Pheiroijam Parijat Singh told the gathering.

He did not mention the ongoing economic blockade and subsequent price rise, but said to resolve all issues confronting the state a leader like Irabot Singh was needed.

He called for a corruption-free and better Manipur. Another CPI leader, Moirangthem Nara Singh, also called on the people to follow the principles of Irabot Singh to make Manipur a better place.