Imphal, December 05: Describing it as a whistle stop visit, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has derided the recent visit of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to Manipur and said it was disappointing on all counts.

'What is the meaning of the Prime Minister's visit for only 1.20 hours when the State is facing critical problems on all major fronts?', asked BJP national secretary in-charge of North East V Satish at a press conference here today.

In view of the volatile situation prevailing in the State, the Prime Minister should have met the leaders of all political parties and discussed the matter, Satish observed, while pointing out that it is normal convention to meet the media in all Prime Minister's visit but that too had been skipped.

'This is awful and hence his recent visit to Manipur is disappointing by all counts', decried the BJP leader.

He further charged that the alleged attempt of the PM to woo the people of Manipur with tall promises was simply despicable.

'Why such promises are being made only when the State Assembly election is near?', he questioned.

Reacting on the Centre's non-committal stance on the demand for repealing Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Satish said BJP feels that the report of Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee should be placed in the Parliament for a thorough discussion.

'Not only the repeal of the controversial Act, but all the critical issues of the State, particularly the grave law and order situation should be discussed', he said while recalling that the Prime Minister himself had admitted that the law and order situation in Manipur is very severe during the Chief Minister's conclave held at Nainital recently.

Maintaining that the North Eastern region is facing threat from Jehadis aided by ISI and other international Islamic forces, the BJP leader castigated the UPA Government at the Centre for its alleged silence on the issue.

Informing that the BJP's national executive meeting would be held at Lucknow, Satish said issues besetting Manipur would be discussed at length during the meeting.

On the upcoming State Assembly election, the national party leader reiterated BJP's original demand' of imposing President's Rule in Manipur to ensure free and fair conduct of the election and give no scope for indulging in any kind of malpractices.

Newly elected State unit party president Dr Haobam Borbabu Singh who also addressed the press conference said he would first of all take up the task of strengthening the party structure and later roll out widespread campaign for the ensuring Assembly polls.

With exemption to Congress and Communist Parties, BJP is opened for either pre or post poll alliances with other likeminded parties, he said, adding that the number of BJP candidates to be fielded would be announced later on.

'We would field only winnable candidates', Borbabu who is also a former Speaker of the State Assembly said.

Besides, Borbabu, two other senior State BJP members, namely ex-Minister T Gouzadou and H Nikunja Singh have also been elected as the party's national executive members.

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