Gandhi scion kicks off poll campaign of Baite
Rahul Gandhi bats for State integrity
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 02 2009: Negating the announcement at Senapati on April 1 that sitting MP from the Outer seat Mani Charenamei voted for the UPA during the trust vote motion in Parliament, since the Centre had agreed that it would drop the clause of the Common Minimum Programme which said that the territorial boundaries of the North East States would not be redrawn, AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi today proclaimed that no changes would be effected in the political boundaries of the North East States.

Striking the right chord with the people of Manipur, the Gandhi scion during the kick off election campaign of Outer Congress candidate Thangso Baite at Churachandpur district headquarters and attended by about 4000 people today said that there would be no compromise on the territorial sanctity of Manipur and added that the Congress and the UPA would work in the interest of the people.

Rahul Gandhi with State Congress leaders wave to the crowds at Churachandpur

Rahul, who landed at Churachandpur on a helicopter amid tight security was accorded a red carpet reception by the people and a host of Congress leaders including Chief Minister O Ibobi, MPCC (I) president Gaikhangam and others turned up to receive him.

The Chief Minister and Gaikhangam greeted the young Congress leader with a traditional head gear.

Asserting that the Congress led UPA Government has initiated a number of projects for the welfare of the poor and common people, Rahul Gandhi said that the successful implementation of the NREGA is testimony of the priority of the UPA during its five years stint at the Centre.

Under the NREGA villagers are provided 100 days of employment in a year.

The passing of the Right to Information Act is another feather in the cap of the UPA, he declared.

Addressing the gathering, Rahul Gandhi said that the many developmental projects seen in Manipur is a result of the close co-ordination between the Congress led SPF Government here and the UPA at Delhi.

Mentioning the achievements of UPA during the last 5 years, Rahul said that Manipur University has been upgraded to the status of a Central University and added that a series of measures to combat HIV/AIDS have been initiated in the State.

Kangla has also been handed over to the people during the time of the UPA Government, he added.

Appealing to the people to support the Congress candidates in the Inner and Outer seats so as to ensure the victory of the UPA at Delhi, Rahul said that only the UPA can bring peace and prosperity to the country.

Reiterating that the State Govt will not brook any attempt to compromise with the territorial integrity of Manipur, Chief Minister O Ibobi, while addressing the meeting said that the Oppositionhas been whipping up non-issues.

It was the Congress led SPF Government which lifted the Disturbed Area Act from seven Assembly segments which in turn led to the lifting of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, said the Chief Minister and added that once the law and order situation becomes normal then AFSPA would be lifted from the entire State.

The Opposition is merely trying to whip up the issue just for electoral gains, he added.

Despite the myriad of problems besetting Manipur all the communities are living together peacefully, said Ibobi and mentioning the list of achievements of the SPF Government, he said that Kangla has been handed over to the people and a National Sports Academy has been set up.

The Chief Minister also urged the gathering to vote for the Congress candidates in the two seats so as to strengthen the UPA at Delhi and ensure development.