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Our Correspondent
Imphal, Feb. 21 (EMN): All India Congress Committee (AICC) leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that the party is interested in protecting the people of Manipur and guarantee one third job reservation for women.
He was addressing an election rally at Hafta Kangjeibung in Imphal for the upcoming polls in Manipur.
“I come with humility because there is a lot I can learn from you. I want to help preserve your language, preserve your culture and preserve the harmony that is prevailing in Manipur,” he said.
Hitting out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership, the Congress leader Rahul mocked the steps taken by the central government against the Covid-19 in the initial stage of the outbreak and termed the Covid vaccination drive in Manipur as ‘kharab' (bad).
Reacting to reports of palm oil plantations in the region, he said: “Now, I want to ask you who exactly these palm oil plantations will help." "Are they going to help the people of Manipur or are they going to help two or three really large businesses in the country?” he asked.
‘That is why the party is committed to guarantee MSP (minimum support price) for horticultural products. By expanding irrigation, the farmers will be able to grow two to three crops per year,’ he said, adding that they want to transform horticulture in Manipur.
On the BJP leaders’ promise to take administration to the doorsteps of the people, he asked ‘how do you take your governance to your doorsteps if you do not allow the people of Manipur to hold (ADC) elections?’
The Congress leader also said that it was the party that built the unique market and instrument for empowering the women of Manipur. “We built one Ima market (mother or women's market). Our biggest commitment is to guarantee one third (job) reservation for women in Manipur,” he said.
He also appealed to the people of Manipur to support the Congress this time, while promising to boost food processing and tourism in the state.
In 2017 assembly elections, Congress emerged as the single largest party in the state by winning 28 seats out of 60 seats. But the BJP, which won 21 seats, formed a government with the support of Naga People's Front, National People's Party and others.
Former Chief Minister and Congress legislature party leader O Ibobi Singh, Manipur Congress Pradesh Committee president N Loken, and Nagaland Congress chief K Therie also spoke during the event.
The visiting AICC leader Rahul Gandhi also held a meeting with the Congress leaders at the Congress Bhavan in Imphal and paid floral tributes at Shaheed Minar and the Nupi Lal Memorial complex in Imphal, besides visiting Ima market prior to his departure for the national capital.
The elections to the 60-member Manipur Legislative Assembly will be held in two phases – polling in 38 constituencies on February 28 and 22 constituencies on March 5.
The counting of votes will take place on March 10.