IMPHAL, May 24: The withdrawal of the special category status from Manipur will mean that the State would be unable to enjoy the Act East Policy of the NDA, asserted Janata Dal (United) State president Moirangthem Tombi during the flag hoisting function of the Janata Dal Parivar candidate for 24-Nambashi constituency Julia Shinglai.
The function which also marked the kick off of the party`™s ADC election campaign was held at Mawai Village, Kasom Khullen in Ukhrul district today.
Further speaking on the occasion, Tombi said after the BJP led NDA came to power in the Centre last year, the Look East Policy had been changed to Act East Policy.
However, unfortunately, the Centre has recently decided to withdraw the special category status from 11 States which also includes Manipur, he added.
Even though Manipur has been deprived of fully enjoying the Act East Policy, the BJP hopes to win the ADC election by merely sending some Union Ministers to attend in a few election campaigns, he said.
Tombi continued that the Congress is unable to bring good governance in the hill districts even though the party has been at the helm of the government for quite a long time.
Burning issues like the border land disputes with Myanmar and Nagaland State have been neglected till date, he claimed.
Tombi continued an organisation from Nagaland has even constructed a road and other buildings on the Manipur side and the government is waiting for the Centre to step in.
Even as everyone is encroaching upon the State`™s territory, the government continues to remain as silent spectators, he continued.
Tombi asserted instead of remaining silent on the issue, both the State and the Centre need to intervene and monitor the issue before it gets out of hand.
24-Nambashi district council constituency has eight villages and the people of this constituency know what the sitting member of the constituency has done in the past five years.
The road condition in the area is in the worst condition and no vehicles have been able to commute along since 2010, he continued.
If Julia is elected from this constituency, she will be the first elected candidate of the Janata Dal Parivar following their recent unison, he added.
He further appealed to the people to properly choose their representatives.
Speaking on the occasion, Julia said she wanted to develop South Ukhrul which has been deprived for long.
She said, being a social worker, she decided to join politics so that she can serve the people more.
Voting is a right of the citizens in order to choose their own representatives, she said appealing to the people to elect the right person.
She further said that any report of her connection with the Congress is totally baseless and unfounded rumour.
Julia continued that whether she gets elected or not, she will continue to serve the people of Ukhrul from her best level.
However, if she is elected then she will have more strength and power to serve the people, she added.
She said she wouldn`™t want an election to harm the beautiful relationship she share with the people of the area.
JD (U) general secretary Lein Gangte said the works carried out by a genuine leader will be different from that of a fake leader.
People need to choose the right leader, he said.
The function was also attended by villagers from eight villages.