AICC president Rahul Gandhi expressed his party’s desire to initiate Northeast industrial policy if voted to power in Centre. Gandhi also promised not to allow the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill to become a law apart from restoring the special category status to Manipur and other states in the Northeast.
Addressing a public meeting at Hapta Kangjeibung ground in Imphal East district on Wednesday to launch the party’s poll campaign in the state for the Lok Sabha polls, the Congress president said that Manipur and other Northeast states could be developed as a centre for job creation and centre for manufacture.
Terming that every state is unique in their own way, he asserted that the Congress party is committed not to allow anybody to touch the culture, language and history of Manipur and other Northeast states.
The Congress party will develop educational institutions apart from developing best infrastructure if the party comes into power, he added while categorically criticising the BJP government at the Centre for the alleged “false promises”. The Gandhi scion left for Agartala after delivering a 30-minute long speech.
Congress Legislature party leader and former chief minister O Ibobi Singh also spoke at the public rally which was attended by thousands of people. President Gaikhangam of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) delivered the welcome address.
Earlier in the morning, Congress president Rahul Gandhi had an hour-long interaction with the youngsters and students. O Ibobi and MPCC president Gaikhangam also attended the programme.
Rahul Gandhi arrived in Imphal on a two-day visit to the state on Tuesday afternoon after attending a public rally in Itanagar. On his arrival, the AICC chief paid floral tributes at the Shaheed Minar in Imphal after landing at Congress Bhavan.
He also visited the historic Ima Market (women’s market) in Imphal. The Congress is yet to announce the names of its candidates for the Lok Sabha polls which are scheduled to be held here on April 11 and 18 next.