This election will decide Manipur's future: PM Modi
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 22 2022:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the BJP's "double-engine" government has laid a strong foundation for Manipur for the next 25 years.
Speaking in an election rally at Luwangpokpa Multi-Sports Complex in Luwangsangbam PM Modi stressed that the stability and peace achieved in the last five years have to be made permanent, and urged the people of Manipur to re-elect the BJP government.
"Last month, Manipur completed 50 years of its formation.
During this period, the state witnessed several governments and their works.
But after decades of Congress rule, Manipur got only inequality," he said.
The Congress had made bandhs and blockades part of the daily life in Manipur, affecting economic activities leading to shortages of essential commodities, which made people suffer.
But the BJP government made passible what was impossible and in the last five years, the "double-engine" government worked with sincerity for the development of Manipur, he said, adding that "you saw both good governance and good intention", earning BJP the moniker, "People's government".
"Congress does not understand the problems and issues of Northeast unlike the NDA government, which considers the region crucial for India's growth.
Its leaders only come to the state to give some speeches, while ridiculing the culture and women of the northeast states including Manipur," Modi told the gathering.
The long-standing demand for Inner Line Permit (ILP) by the people of Manipur was fulfilled by the BJP government, Modi said, while adding that the government took up various measures during the Covid-19 pandemic including providing free vaccine.
Through hard work, "we have laid a strong foundation for the next 25 years", the Prime Minister said, while adding "This election will decide the future of Manipur for the next 25 years" .
Urging the youth of the state to vote for the BJP, Modi said that when the first-time voters press the button, they immediately become an essential part of the government.
"Several youths have left the path of violence and are now working for the development of Manipur," Modi said.
"The stability and peace which was established in the last five years, it has to be made permanent for the next 25 years," he said and urged the people to vote for BJP.
To achieve this, it is absolutely necessary to have a BJP government in the state, the Prime Minister added.
The BJP government also ended the "loot" in the public distribution system of the state, built over 7,000 houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), provided electricity and free LPG connections to around 1.5 lakh homes under the Ujjwala scheme, Modi said.
Total 3 lakh homes in Manipur have pipe-water connections now as against 25,000 before the BJP came to power in the state, he said.
The BJP government brought Manipur into the railway network of the country as it considers the state as the gateway for trade and commerce with Southeast Asia.
Soon, Imphal will be"connected to the railway network, which will boost tourism and create opportunities for the state's youth, the PM said.
At present, 40 national highway projects are underway in the state and when the highway connecting Myanmar and Thailand is complete, Manipur will become an important centre.
Meanwhile, the National Sports University will make Manipur an international hub for sportspersons, Modi said, adding that governments of his party in the North-eastern states are heavily investing in building sports infrastructure.
"I have been able to serve Manipur because you have ensured a full-majority government in New Delhi as well as in the state," he said, while remarking that he must be the only Prime Minister who has visited the state most frequently.
Additionally, November 15 is observed by BJP as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas to commemorate the tribal freedom fighters.
The principle of the state BJP government is 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' and 'Sabka Prayas'.
Thus, efforts are being made to develop Manipur in the education and digital sector, while the farmers/labourers are being provided under PM Kisan Yojana, encouraging organic farming, Bamboo industry under MSME, apart from introduction of oil palm, he conveyed.
"Elect a full-majority BJP government here once again, so that the violence, bandhs and blockades do not return to the state," he said, while expressing belief that BJP would win over 40 seats in the ensuing polls.
The rally was also attended by CM N Biren Singh, BJP Manipur Pradesh president A Sharda Devi, speaker Y Khemchand, Works minister Th Biswajit and others.
PM Modi then left for Delhi after the culmination of the rally.