Narendra Modi tongue lashes Congress, CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 08 2014 : Addressing one of the largest gathering of people at a political rally in the State, Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Prime Ministerial candi-date Narendra Modi asserted that if the NDA Government returns to power in the centre then accounts of Congress party organisations would be minutely scrutinised to recover black money from the Congress 'coffers' .

Addressing a political rally at Langjing Achouba playground ground today as a part of the BJP's campaign ahead of the Parliamentary elections, Narendra Modi told the massive gathering that without Manipuri dances Indian culture cannot develop and simi- larly sans Manipuri sports-persons Indian sports move- ment will continue to fall behind the global counterparts.

Conveying that the entire country is proud with the achievements of Manipuri sportspersons, he also pled-ged that if the NDA is voted back to power the Silchar-Imphal and Imphal-Dimapur roads as well as highways linking the NE region with the rest of the country would be developed at the shortest possible time.

(Top) Narendra Modi with BJP leaders at the meeting venue and (bottom) a section of the crowd

Modi also called upon the people of the region to give a befitting lesson to the corruption-infested Congress party in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections to help the NDA root out corruption from the country.

Accusing successive Governments at the centre of un- dermining interest and aspiration of the people of North East region during the last many decades after Indian in-dependence, he pointed out that the then NDA Government with Atal Bihari Vajpai as the Prime Minister not only established a separate Ministry specifically for the econo- mic development of the region but also earmarked 10 percent of the total national budget for special economic package to the North Eastern States.

Stating that proper tapping of abundantly available medical plants in the region, acce- lerating development of hand-loom and handicraft industries and effective implementation of horticulture- based agro industries will tremendously boost the region's economy and resolve joblessness, he also noted that vast potential exists in the region for tourism development through which the region earn healthy income.

While highlighting development projects being imple- mented in Gujarat State of which he is the Chief Minister, Modi citing lack of political vision as the bane for infrastructure inadequacy in Manipur also regretted that despite rich human resource youth of the State are depriv-ed of earning source.

Referring to disputes along the Indo (Manipur)-Myanmar and indo-Bangladesh borders, he alleged that without the consent of the people Chief Minister Okram Ibobi had a secret pact with the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to hand-over' Mani-pur's territory to Myanmar.

Betraying Manipuri forefathers' fierce stand to protect its own boundary, the CM showing no sign of remorse despite Manipur losing substantial portion of the territory to Myanmar clearly hints at anti-people stand of the State Government, he said.

The fact that people have been compelled to endure multiple problems such as scarcity of potable water, erratic power supply and pathe- tic road transport system are manifestations of administrative failure and betrayal of the people's trust upon the Congress government, said the BJP leader who also charged the Ibobi Government of derailing MGNREGS projects, failure to streamline PDS, im-peding development of the education sector and absence of commitment to ensure job to lakhs of educated youth.

The BJP prime ministerial candidate said the death of Arunachal Pradesh student Nido Tania in Delhi is a mat-ter of national shame and ask- ed the Centre and the Delhi government to shun their blame game on the issue and ensure justice for him (Nido) .

He said such incidents further alienate the people of the north eastern states, which due to the "unfortunate policies" of the Congress have been neglected and have not developed in the last 60 years.

"It (death of Nido Tania) is a shameful incident for the nation.

I offer my prayers for the boy and his family...There is lack of governance there.

There are cases of atrocities on women.

I hope the Government of India and the Go- vernment of Delhi come out of the blame game and works towards ensuring justice for the young boy and his family," Modi said.

19-year-old Tania, an Arunachal Pradesh MLA's son, was found dead last month after he was allegedly beaten up by a group of 5-6 men in Lajpat Nagar market in South Delhi following an altercation sparked by their taunts on his hairstyle.

Modi attacked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for failing to ensure the development of the North East region despite representing it for the last 23 years in the Rajya Sabha.

"The Congress chief ministers invite the Prime Minister for laying foundation stone or cutting ribbons for projects but it ends there and nothing happens afterwards," he said.

The BJP leader reiterated that the NDA Prime Minister AB Vajpayee had taken the initiative of creating a separate ministry for the north eastern region and taken steps to develop it but the Congress governments in the state and the Centre "have been indulging in corruption only" .

The BJP leader listed the issues of insurgency and the drug-trafficking as the ones impacting the NE region and accused the Congress Government in the state of failing in its efforts to control the menace.

He said insurgency was also leading to "fake encounters" which is going to further spoil the situation.

Modi said the BJP will work towards developing the potential of herbal industry, horticulture and agro-processing industries when it comes to power.

Speaking at the occasion, BJP State unit president Th Chaoba said with narendra Modi eventually visiting Manipur to illustrate that BJP is determined to resolve various issues besetting the State will now be a serious cause of concern for the Government of Manipur.

Referring to frequent remarks by the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and his deputy Gaikhangam that Modi's visit will not have much impact, Chaoba citing thousands of people thronging the meeting venue for Modi's address wryly commented that both the Congress leaders will be needing constant monitoring of their health status.

Unlike the Congress party which has been patronizing family politics and deeply engrossed in corruption, the BJP has been striving to weed out corruption and facilitate growth of the nation, said Chaoba who also said the upcoming Lok Sabha election is an opportunity to remind the Congress party that the people cannot be taken for a ride.

Besides BJP workers and supporters, six individuals who are hoping to contest in the Inner and Outer Manipur parliamentary constituencies as BJP nominee were also present at the meeting.

Narendra Modi arrived at the meeting venue in a chopper from Tulihal Airport at around 11.30 am and delivered nearly an hour long speech.

It may be mentioned that Modi's visit was boycotted by some Muslim organisations in addition to an armed group giving bandh call against the visit.