Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said that the BJP has always participated in Manipur elections but most of the time participation was academic in nature.
“We fielded 10 to 20 candidates to mark our presence but during last 5 years especially since we came to power at the Centre people’s aspiration from BJP has grown,” said Rijiju who was speaking in an event organised by Delhi State BJP.
“This has given strength and today fielding 60 candidates BJP stands out as an alternate for the people of Manipur,” the Union Minister added further. “Recently I toured Manipur and I saw the ray of hope and determination to change the Government in the eyes of people,” he said.
The Minister further added that Manipur is a pious land which has a great place in the history of India as Indian National Army marked its historic victory at Imphal. “It is unfortunate that subsequent Congress Government’s especially the present Ibobi Singh Government has corrupted the polity to an extent that life in Manipur has come to a standstill,” he added.
Reacting on the recent extensive spells of economic blockades witnessed in Manipur, Rijiju said that it was a part of dirty ploy of Chief Minister Ibobi Singh Government which created fishers between the tribals and Meithei community for political considerations.
“It was strange that even after 50 days of blockade the local Government was not interested to remove the blockade and it was only after the Union Home Ministry issued stern warning that the Congress Government was forced to act,” he said.
Sunil Deodhar, an RSS Pracharak and BJP leader, said that the people of Manipur have repeatedly immense faith in Congress but unfortunately Congress Governments have treated them as vote bank by creating fishers between tribals and others.
“Youth of Manipur which has made considerable contribution in development work in other States are today disappointed as even after 70 years of freedom there are no good educational or employment opportunities in their State,” he said.
BJP National Sardar RP Singh said that the local BJP unit will ensure the safety of Manipur youths in the National Capital.