IMPHAL, March 26: The Bharatiya Janata Party, Manipur Pradesh president Thounaojam Chaoba and General secretary Ashwini Kumar today met with the BJP National President Rajnath Singh at the later’s residence at Delhi to confer on several issues related to the state.
Speaking to IFP on the phone from Delhi, Thounaojam Chaoba said the party representatives reiterated before the national president of the party to place the issue of repeal Armed Forces Special Powers’ Act and save Irom Chanu Sharmila.
He said they apprised the national president that even after a decade long rule of the Congress, the state is still reeling under the lack of adequate water and electricity supply. He said the discussion which was also attended by several other national leaders of the party lasted for about 45 minutes.
Rajnath Singh after listening to the two state leaders said the AFSPA is also implemented in Jammu and Kashmir and it could still be continued in Manipur at which the state leaders said there is a lot of difference between the two states, he said.
Th Chaoba further continued that he apprised the national leaders of BJP that while in Jammu and Kashmir there is the Pakistan factor, Manipur has no such issues from the neighbouring countries. Meanwhile, continuing with the AFSPA issue, he demanded the Congress government both at the Centre and the State to announce a concrete stand on the issue at the earliest.
Ashwini Kumar added that Rajnath Singh is likely to visit the state on May 2.
He said that after the discussion, Rajnath Singh assured that he will discuss the issue with other national leaders of the party.