Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday arrived in Imphal, Manipur to campaign for BJP candidates for the ensuing 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly elections amid tight security and the call for total shutdown.
Addressing an election rally at Luwangshangbam Sports Complex in Imphal, the Prime minister said that the Congress leaders come to Manipur and make big claims but make fun of the dresses and 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," the Prime Minister said.
PM Modi alleged that the Congress never understood the problems and the feelings of the people of Northeast India. The NDA government, on the other hand, believes that the region is the growth engine for India, he added.
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. In the last five years, the BJP-led government has aimed to develop Manipur. You've witnessed BJP's good governance as well as good intention, the Prime Minister said.
PM Modi alleged that the Congress had made bandhs and blockades the main feature of Manipur, while claiming that the BJP government has made the impossible possible. "Every region of Manipur has had relief from bandhs and blockades," PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister further informed that the government is developing nearly 40 National Highways and said Manipur will become an important centre for East Asia connectivity after the highway connecting Myanmar-Thailand is completed.
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 one NH project was worked upon, PM Modi claimed.
PM Modi also appealed to the youth and the first-time voters to take active participation in the decision making process.
"Your vote is your active participation in this government and you become a part of the decision making," PM Modi said.
Meanwhile, CorCom, the proscribed umbrella organisation Coordination Committee on Sunday announced to boycott Modi’s visit to Manipur by imposing a total shutdown in the state with effect from 1 am of Tuesday till the PM leaves the state.
