Centre ready to talk with insurgents: Rajnath Singh
"Will win around 50 seats, form BJP-only government"
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 14 2022:
Defence minister Rajnath Singh declared that the Centre is ready to talk with the insurgent groups of the Northeast to resolve their issues as the government always wants to end the violence permanently.
Addressing an election meeting after the flag hoisting ceremony of BJP candidate in Langthabal assembly constituency Karam Shyam on Monday, the defence minister said that the government is always prepared to talk with the rebel outfits for a lasting solution to the insurgency issues and to stop violence in Manipur and other north-eastern states permanently.
"The rebel outfits must come forward to talk with the government to resolve their problems.
Violence has to be stopped permanently to undertake the developmental projects and welfare schemes for the benefit of the people.
The terror violence has been largely controlled in Manipur under the dynamic leadership of chief minister N Biren Singh," Rajnath said.
Appealing to the UGs to shun violence, Rajnath observed that Manipur has witnessed lesser number of insurgency related incidents with the coming of BJP government in the state.
He continued that a dedicated ministry for North East established by then Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee testifies commitment of the government to expedite development of the region.
Rajnath Singh further, appealed to the public to ensure that Karam Shyam wins the election by more than 8000 to 10000 votes.
In his address, Karam Shyam said that the time of former MLA O Joy has gone.
At a time when voters who are above the age of 80 years are given allowance to vote through postal ballot, it is shameful that O Joy who is, 86 years of age is contesting the election.
Meanwhile, the Defence Minister said that during the previous Congress regime, blockade and violence were the regular phenomena and the records of their (Congress) governance were broken.
Rajnath said that the Congress should be ashamed "because it had done nothing to improve the connectivity of the region so as to bring closure to the region to the mainland".
"The BJP wants to take Manipur's developmental status to a new height within 15 years.
After Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, the face of Manipur has been changed and the state is going forward to achieve a new future.
Modi has a new vision for the all-round development of the north eastern region.
The projects relating to rail, road and air connectivity are being implemented with themission mode," said the former BJP national president.
Rajnath also said that the Congress party is not the main opponent of the BJP in Manipur while briefing the media during his state visit for election campaigning.
"The Congress is not our (BJP) main opponent, not only in Manipur but across India.
It has no relevance in Manipur," Rajnath said.
He added: "People have realised that the Congress party is not a force to reckon with anymore because of their ill-policies.
It has become insignificant".
Rajnath also claimed that BJP will win around 50 out of 60 seats in the ensuing 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly election, thereby forming a BJP-only government in the state.
He made the claim during the flag hoisting ceremony of Singjamei AC BJP candidate Yumnam Khemchand, who is also the speaker of the state assembly, held at Yumnam Leikai Lairembi Lartipak on Monday.
Speaking to newspersons while visiting Khemchand's residence, Rajnath maintained that the BJP government has made many achievements in the last 5 years.
Reiterating that the BJP will secure around 50 seats in the upcoming elections, the defence minister conveyed that a BJP-only government will be formed in the state, thereby helping to realise the vision of a 'Congress-Mukt Bharat' .
Meanwhile, Y Khemchand recounted that BJP won 21 seats in the last polls, which posed a lot of inconveniences while governing the state through a coalition.
As such, he urged the people to help BJP win big in every constituency including Singjamei.
He further recounted that the promises made after the declaration of the results of the last polls such as rebuilding Singjamei Ima market and according a status to titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba, have been fulfilled.
Khemchand also mentioned his interview with The People's Chronicle wherein he was asked what he would do after winning polls and he responded that he would specify it at a later time.
He explained that he wants to show what he wants to do through action instead of verbalising it.
He then urged the people of the AC to help him win the polls with over 5000 votes more than in the last elections.
The BJP is contesting in all the 60 Assembly seats that go to polls in two phases - February 28 and March 5.The elections to the 60-seat Manipur Assembly would be held in two phases on February 28 and March 5 .
The counting of votes would take place on March 10 .