As Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Jagat Prakash Nadda (JP Nadda) is set to launch the party’s election manifesto for the Manipur assembly elections 2022 on Thursday, Union minister RK Ranjan told media persons the party, however, will not include the Armed Forces Special Power Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in the manifesto.
The minister of state for external affairs RK Ranjan explained that as the state government cannot “act on the ordinance” of the Government of India, it cannot be included in the manifesto. He, however, said “We also feel the sentiments of the people of Manipur when it comes to AFPSA. We will do it as and when needed after observation. But, we do not like to mention it in the manifesto. It will be removed after observation. Our demand for implementation of ILP was also granted by the Centre. So let us have faith”.
With regards to the ‘scheduled tribe’ demand, Ranjan said it is a demand that cannot be fulfilled in a short span of time. Recently a community of Tripura was granted scheduled tribe status by the parliament only after more than 20 years of research. “It involved a long process. It requires rigorous study and analysis,” the Union minister added.
Ranjan further explained that the BJP initially wanted to include developmental agendas on the election manifesto and only after fulfilling what it had promised they will mount pressure on the Central government regarding the demand for AFSPA removal and ‘Scheduled Tribe’ among others.
Ranjan said the state BJP election manifesto was drafted after taking into consideration Prime Minister’s ‘Sab Ka Saat, Saab ka Vikash and Saab ka Prayash’.
Construction of road connectivity is a major part of development. As such, Manipur will become a trade hub under Act East policy besides bringing building inter-state relationship, he added.
The manifesto will be released on Thursday at Hotel Classic Grande, Chingmeirong.
