Jairam seeks Shah's stand on drugs, AFSPA issue
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 23 2022: AICC senior observer MP Jairam Ramesh has asked union home minister Amit Shah to disclose the Central government's policies with regard to the public's demand for repeal of AFSPA from Manipur and issue of drug menace.

Addressing a press conference at Congress Bhawan here on Wednesday, Jairam Ramesh said that union home minister Amit Shah is visiting Manipur after the poll rally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned out to be a failure.

Congress party wants to ask the union home minister whether his government has any policy in sight to address the demand for withdrawal of AFSPA from Manipur as well as the entire northeast.

INC understands the sentiments of the people of the state which is why the party has assured of pursuing the demand with the Central government.

It was also the Ibobi government which scrapped AFSPA from seven assembly constituencies of the state, he pointed out.

Calling PM Modi and union home minister Amit Shah suave actors, Jairam said that PM Modi spoke at'length on Act East Policy but Congress party wants to ask the union home minister if the NDA government is doing anything to address the issue of drugs resulting from illegal trafficking of drugs from In-do-Myanmar border.

Comparing the gatherings at the poll rallies of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and PM Modi, Imphal visit of the PM could be called an utter failure, he said.

The Rajya Sabha MP further said that Congress party is focusing on women empowerment and Rahul Gandhi made a promise for 1/3 reservation for women in government jobs if Congress party comes to power.

Rahul also assured of constructing 15 more Ima Keithels to improve socio-economic conditions of the women of the state and such promises reflect the commitment and respect Congress party has for Manipuri women, he said.

While responding to posers from media, Jairam Ramesh said that PM Modi is a leader who lies, he can never speak the truth even by mistake.

Congress party never differentiates between hills and valley.

The main difference between the two parties is Congress party wants unity and integrity while BJP wants division.

This mentality of BJP is clearly shown by its failure to conduct ADC elections in the hills, he maintained.

Chipping in, MPCC spokesperson Kh Devabrata said that Congress party is firm on improving the agricultural output in order to make Manipur a self-reliant state and the same has been reflected in the party's election manifesto as well as in Rahul GandhPs speech.

Once the party comes to power, they will improve the irrigation system and promote double and triple cropping system of farming.

They will also provide MSP on crops including horticulture products, he assured.

Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee president K Therie said that there is no free and fair election in the hill areas of Manipur.

Congress candidates in hill districts are facing threat and they are not able to carry out their campaign freely, he expressed concern.

He demanded the government to provide adequate security in the hill areas to ensure every voter exercise their voting rights freely.

By electing NPF or NPP, the political destination of the state will become like Kohima and Shillong.

Only Congress and BJP can bring up issues related with the people of the state and the northeast region.

However, BJP's ideology is not suited with the public and as such, the people of the state including the minority communities should support Congress candidates in order to bring good governance and protect their identity, religion, culture and tradition.

Regional political parties have no or little significance in the national platform, he said, while urging the electors to support Congress party.

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