BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda on Thursday released BJP election manifesto for Manipur, promising freebies to woo the voters of the state. "The government if voted back to power would give ₹25,000 for the meritorious girl students, Rs 5 lakh free insurance cover for fishermen and Rs 1000 monthly pension for senior citizens and would set up AIIMS here, promoting Manipur as brand for its native products under the startup scheme", Nadda said.
Manipur is going to polls on February 27 and March 3 in two phases to elect new state assembly of 60 lawmakers. BJP government of N Biren Singh faces anti-incumbency factor, though BJP is trying all it could to project the five years achievements of the Singh’s government to take the opposition alliance of Left, Congress and local parties.
While releasing the BJP manifesto in Imphal on February 17, Nadda later addressed the farmers samenlan at Valpo near Imphal saying that Manipur used to make headlines for bandhs and blockades and instability, but now the state is making news for unprecedented development. Manipur recorded highest food grains production, witnessed political stability for the last five years reign of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, he said.
Nadda said the BJP government if voted back to power in Manipur would start “one subdivision” one product” and create “Manipur brand” that would empower local artisans and farmers. “No person in Manipur will be left without health coverage by toping the state health scheme with Ayushman Bharat scheme to provide health facility to people of Manipur and AIIMS will be set up here”.
Accompanied by N Biren Singh and other BJP Manipur leaders Nadda said agriculture budget of Manipur has been doubled to Rs 300 crore from Rs 150 Crore. “We have started separate ministries for dairy, animal husbandry and fisheries in Manipur. More than 5.82 lakh farmers have got Rs 6000 per year in their bank account under the PM Saman Nidhi in Manipur, he said.
He said as the fisheries is a big profession and main sources of livelihood for the local fishermen, they will be given an insurance of ₹5 lakh for free. The children of fishermen, farmers and landless tillers will be given scholarship so that they can get educated for their better future, he said.
Lauding the performance of Biren Singh’s BJP government , Nadda said no political party in Manipur has ever given a report of their work but Biren Singh provided report of his works in Manipur. “Manipur as seen marvellous change in the last 5 years as he has ensured good governance”, he said.
Nadda further said that manifesto will ensure the welfare of senior citizen whose monthly pension will be increased from ₹200 to ₹1000. To give fillip to industrial development, BJP will boost entrepreneurship and will set Rs 100 crore startup Manipur fund to provide zero- interest loans to entrepreneurs up to ₹25 lakh and provide better market access.
In a bid to influence the young women voters, BJP announced that meritorious college-going girl students would get free scooty in Manipur and Rs ₹25,000 for girls. The students will get free lap tops after passing the 12th class under the Rani Gaidinliu scheme, he said.
Nadda said no person in Manipur will be left without health coverage and will get Rs 5 lakh health cover under the double engine BJP government in Manipur.
Nadda said the BJP double engine government under Prime Minister Narender Modi has been giving prime importance to territorial integrity of the northeastern states, protecting and preserving their cultural heritage, rights of the indigenous people.
