IMPHAL, April 7: “Manipur is shining and is marching ahead but Nagaland is moving backward and that is why they are jealous of our state. There is nothing which can be learnt from Nagaland” said Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam.
In a public meeting at Wangoi Bazaar community hall, organised by the Wangoi Block Congress committee, in connection with the coming 16th Lok Sabha election, the Deputy CM alleged that Nagaland is trying to claim some parts of the state by cosying up to the people of the outer constituency of the state.
However, all their promises will not be met as the tribes of the state don’t enjoy the same status as the tribes in Nagaland, he said.
Adding that his promises to make the tribes prosperous is bewildering as he is always trying to drive a wedge among people, he asked Tangkhul, Mao, Maram, Zeliangrong tribes to be wary of his evil designs.
The speeches of the Nagaland CM reveal a nefarious attempt to divide the hills and valley people who have been living in harmony for more than 2000 years, he said.
The Deputy CM rejected the UNC’s statement that Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio’s speeches in his visit to the state were not communal.
He alleged that when various leaders visited the outer Manipur constituency they spoke about taking up the Alternative Arrangement (AA) issue in parliament if elected while on the other hand promising to safeguard the territorial integrity of the state.
“The state burned and many unavoidable circumstances occurred during the rule of BJP with even the territorial integrity at stake but when Congress came to power NSCN (IM) leaders were not allowed to enter the state.”
Gaikhangam said that the state is moving forward because the Congress has initiated various development schemes and programs in the state.
He appealed the people to vote for the representatives of the Congress party.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said that the BJP, NPF were self-seeking parties which needed to be rooted out of the state.
“The Congress party stands for peaceful existence among various communities in the state and has reserved 4 percent employment and educational opportunities for minorities.”
He said that if any other party rules the state there will be no peace and harmony because the Congress, without discriminating between the hills and valley districts, has tried to bring development and turned the state into a prosperous one.
