IMPHAL, February 13: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh during his Manipur visit should apologise for describing the people of North Eastern states as immigrants, stated CPI national secretary Atul Kumar Anjan during his visit to the State for the 21st State Conference of the Manipur State Council, CPI held at the Huyen Lallong Manipur Thang Ta Cultural Association, Irilbung, Keirao. The two-day conference will conclude on February 15.
Speaking as a special guest on the opening day of the convention, Atul Kumar Anjan said Manipur is a land of heroes where a patriot like Hijam Irabot was born. Giving his revolutionary greetings to comrades attending the function, he said the visit of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is an opportunity for him `to smell the dust of the land of a Hero`™.
Welcoming Rajnath, he said, the tagging of people from the North-East as `Immigrants`™ by the BJP was unfortunate, adding that the Union Home Minister on behalf of his party and the Government of India should apologise to the people of Manipur and assure to repeal AFSPA,1958.
He said the BJP is a political party whose president Amit Shah is charged of having committed murder and is out on bail from a court. In such a scenario, how can we trust PM Narendra Modi`™s slogan `Achhe din aa gaye`™ (good time has come), he added.
He lamented that BJP is only promoting corporate houses rather than uplifting the marginalised sections. He said some of the business men have increased their fortunes after the BJP came into power.
Further stating that the assurance of the Prime Minister to allocate Rs 15 lakhs each to all the account holders was a total lie, he said the statement has been termed as a slip of tongue by the party president Amit Shah. He however asked as to how PM Narendra Modi can also make the same promise of allocating the said amount in his speeches at 153 different locations if were a slip of tongue. He said he wonders whether Narendra Modi is a regular liar or habitually makes slips of tongue.
On the other hand, he said, PM Narendra Modi wears a suit worth Rs 28 lakhs with his name embossed in golden fibres, especially made for him in London.
He said the state lacks industries, survives on horticulture products, has no access to potable drinking water and has no proper road connectivity. He said that the State was ruled by the UPA government and now the NDA is in power at the Centre. He mentioned that the failed projects initiated by Congress government must be streamlined by the BJP government.
Atul Kumar said the present government must concentrate on the Loktak project to make adequate drinking water and power supply available to the state.
He further said the day was near for the CPI to shine in the State for bringing development in the State.
The CPI members took part in a rally from Kangla to Irilbung before the convention. The locals of the area also contributed rations for the convention. Secretary of CPI Manipur state Council Dr M Nara hoisted its party flag at the convention spot.
The opening function of 21st State conference was also attended by Member National Council CPI N Mangi, veteran party member Moirangthem Ibohal, Kshetrigao local K Mangi, Padmashree Gourakishore Sharma and other leaders of CPI.