Ibobi sold all resources of Manipur, says BJP president

IMPHAL: Launching a scathing attack on Congress strongman and former chief Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, BJP president Amit Shah on Friday alleged that he (Ibobi) had sold out all the resources of the state.


Addressing a poll rally at Wangjing Kodompokpi ground in Thoubal district to campaign for BJP candidate for Outer Manipur constituency Benjamin Mate, Shah said the state's natural resources like water, oil, forests and medicines were sold out by Ibobi during his regime. Alleging that Ibobi even attempted 'to finish' Loktak, the biggest fresh water lake in the northeast, the BJP chief accused the Congress leader of misappropriating funds released by the Centre.

Highlighting the achievements of the BJP-led government at the Centre and the state, Shah sought votes for Benjamin and RK Ranjan (Inner Manipur seat). He added that work on the Jiribam-Imphal railway project, which could not be progress during Ibobi's 15-year regime, would be completed by BJP government by 2021, he said. Shah added that the tallest railway bridge of the world which is under construction at Noney will be a tourist attraction.

Shah added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, hordes of developmental programmes have been taken up in the northeast. Sporting a Meitie Koyet (turban), Shah said there were numerous bandhs and over one hundred days of highway blockades during Ibobi's tenure. "Now, under the new state government led ny N Biren Singh, such bandhs and blockades have stopped and people are living without having to worry about price hike," he added.

Praising Biren, the BJP chief said, "Biren was 'chowkidar' during his BSF days. Under his 'chowkidarship', the state is secured now and people are enjoying a stable government." He added that the Modi government has set up a national sports university in the state in recognition of sports talents like boxing champion Mary Kom.

Expounding more about the developmental programmes taken up in Manipur, the BJP chief said 500 youths of the state have already been benefited under the 'Start-up' scheme. Biren government's new developmental schemes - 'Go to Village' and 'Go to Hills' - have now covered a whopping 2630 villages out of the targeted 2,700 villages.

Under a new scheme of the Centre, three new women's markets would be set up in the state for which the process has already started, Shah said. "To deal with crime against women, a fast-track court, especially for woman, has been opened in the state," he added. He further said the Centre has started a helicopter service in five interior places of the state and the Imphal airport has been expanded with cargo service.