Modi came and left with full of promises
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, February 08 2014 : BJP's prime ministerial candidate and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi addressed the first election rally of BJP in the Northeast for the coming Lok Sabha Election at Langjing Achouba Playground in Imphal West here today amidst tight security.

Modi's maiden visit to the State was boycotted by some social organizations besides a general strike called by the United Revolutionary Front (URF) .

Defying all restrictions, more than one lakh BJP supporters from different corners of the State thronged at Langjing Playground to attend the BJP's 'New Hope, New Manipur' rally.

Narendra Modi arrived at Tulihal International Airport at around 10.30 am where he was given a grand reception by the leaders and workers of BJP Manipur Pradesh led by its President Thounaojam Chaoba.

Donned in traditional attire of Rieon Phurit (velvet shirt), Khamenchatpa Pheijom (loin cloth) and Ningkham Shamji (headgear) resembling Moirang Khamba in the folklore of "Khamba Thoibi", Modi made a lengthy speech at the rally lashing out at the Congress and promising to the people for overall development of the northeastern region after the victory of BJP in the coming Lok Sabha Election.

Modi came and left with full of promises

Modi said that the northeastern region has been overlooked since independence.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh represents this region in the Rajya Sabha for the last 22 years, yet he has done nothing for its development.

"India has given 60 years to the Congress.

These 60 years have been ruined," he told the crowd and vowed that if the BJP comes to power at the Centre, "it will bring this region on par with other regions of India" .

Modi also wooed the audience with a promise to provide better job opportunities.

"I don't understand why the North-East can't be an IT hub? Why do people from here have to go to Bangalore and Hyderabad?" he said and alleged that the UPA government has neither the right leadership, nor the will to develop the North-East.

"Na neta hain, na neeti hain, na neeyat hain (There are no good leaders (in the UPA), no policies and no intention (to do good work)," the BJP PM candidate said.

Modi also stressed on improving road connectivity and other infrastructures in the northeastern states.

He said, "We will work on Silchar-Imphal Road and Dimapur-Imphal Road.

The NH-37 is lying in the same state for years.

No improvement is made".

"Send women police battalions to Gujarat for 2 years in police exchange programmes, will give them training.

Nothing has been done for the empowerment of women and youth in Manipur", Modi lambasted the State Government.

Further, he stated that huge chunk of Indian territories have been ceded to neighbours.

The Centre and State Governments have compromised with the national security in the State.

"A BJP government will be accountable for each rupee spent.

Multi-crore scam happened in Loktak Lake cleaning.

Crores of rupees have been siphoned off and this is parallel to Ganga Cleaning Project", Modi averred.

"The Congress-led Government in Manipur has failed to stop drug-trafficking.

It is also corrupt, just like the UPA at the Centre", the Gujarat Chief Minister alleged while raking up issues plaguing the Northeast, like insurgency, underdevelopment, drug addiction.

Modi exclaimed, "You have given the Congress 60 years.

Give us just 60 months to perform" .

He assured that if voted to power, BJP will show the people of the state the real development work.

"I assure to construct road, school, and hospital in the region.

Not only this, security of the border and security of this region will be provided if voted to power," he said, adding that if BJP forms the next Government at the Centre, peace, development and harmony will be brought in the region.

"The NE states were known as seven sisters.

After Sikkim's inclusion in the list, I call them Ashta Laksmis (eight gems).

Nido's death has been caused because of lack of governance.

Death of Nido in national capital is a national shame", he noted.

Dwelling on alleged misgovernance of the Congress Government, Modi said, "Lack of political vision has pegged back the northeastern region.

Gujarat has made use of gas and oil resources, but the Northeast hasn't succeeded despite its rich resources.

Moreover, China is ahead of us in exporting of herbal medicines, but we too have so much biodiversity and such rich culture of Ayurveda" .

Modi further stressed on former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's efforts for the development of northeastern region saying, "Atalji made 20-point programme for economic development for this region.

It was monitored closely by the Centre" .

"According to Vasstu, if the north-eastern part of a house is taken care of, it always does good for the entire house.

The same holds true for entire India.

I salute the culture of Manipur", he added.

Modi also emphasized on promoting the Game of Polo, which originated from the State.

Expressing surprise on the over one lakh crowd present at the rally, Modi claimed that no political party in the country has ever held such a huge rally and this indicated what type of political wave is waiting for 2014 .

President of BJP Manipur Pradesh Th Chaoba said that the Congress boasts of having 42 MLAs in the State, but they would face a big blow in the coming Lok Sabha Election.

The people of the State are fed up with the migovernance of Congress Government.

There are no proper provisions for water and electricity besides irregularity and malpractices in the implementation of PDS and other welfare schemes for the people in the State, he added.

National General Secretary of BJP Tapir Gao, Member of North East Election Campaign of the party PB Acharya, seven aspirants who are seeking BJP tickets for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls for both the Inner and Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituencies, other leaders from the state BJP, including district and block levels were also present during the rally.

Soon after addressing the election rally here, Narendra Modi left for Guwahati (Assam) where he addressed another rally for the coming Lok Sabha polls.