New Delhi: With Manipur going into polls next week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the state today and addressed election rallies in Imphal. Urging the first-time voters to exercise their right to franchise, PM Modi said that the upcoming polls are going to decide 25 years of the state.
He further said that the state government which will be formed after the election will build the future of Manipur and the double engine government has been paving the way for the development of northeast.
Key points of PM Modi's speech:
- PM Modi said, "in the last 5 years, BJP's double engine government worked towards the overall development of Manipur. You have seen BJP's good governance and good intentions. Our work in the last 5 years has laid the foundation for the next 25 years."
- The Prime further said that last month, Manipur completed 50 years of its formation. The state has witnessed several governments in the last few decades. After decades of Congress rule, Manipur had got only inequality.
- Slamming the Congress party, PM Modi said that the BJP Govt has made the impossible possible. Every region of Manipur has had relief from bandhs and blockades. Congress, on the other hand, had made bandhs and blockades the main feature of Manipur.
- The Prime Minister added that Congress never understood the problems and the feelings of the people of Northeast India. The NDA govt, on the other hand, believes that the region is the growth engine for India.
- PM Modi said that our government has taken care of the state well during COVID. Everyone is being provided free vaccines in Manipur. If a pandemic such as this had arrived pre-2017, what would've happened?
- Focusing on women empowerment, PM Modi said, "Every 7 out of 10 Manipuri is now benefiting from the free ration. Manipuri women had led a historic battle against foreign forces. Former governments never made the lives of Manipuri women easy. Only the NDA govt understood their problems and worked towards making their lives better."
- PM Modi added. "Congress leaders come to Manipur & make big claims but make fun of the dresses & culture of Northeast India in other states. Congress divided Manipur between hills and valleys and played politics over it. They never worked on developing and improving connectivity in the region.
- PM Modi said that Manipur will become an important centre for East Asia connectivity after the highway connecting Myanmar-Thailand is completed. He said that rail connectivity will improve tourism in the region. It will provide the youth with employment opportunities. National highway connectivity has also witnessed unprecedented work in the last few years. Under the last government, only 1 NH project was worked upon while the double engine government is developing nearly 40 NHs.
After the address, PM Modi greeted the BJP supporters in Manipur who reached to witness the event.
Last week Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had released its election manifesto for the 2022 Manipur assembly polls and promised a host of 'freebies' while focusing on the protection of territorial integrity and preserving the rights of the indigenous people of Manipur and its rich culture.
Among the BJP's top promises are two free LPG cylinders to be provided annually to all the PM Ujjwala beneficiaries of the state. Free scooty would be provided to all meritorious college-going girls of the state. Girls from EWS and backward sections will be provided with an incentive of 25,000 under the Rani Gaidinliu Nupi Maheiroi Singi Scheme.
Manipur will go to the polls in two phases on February 28 and March 5. The counting of votes will take place on March 10.