Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday said that full-fledged efforts are in progress to reinstate a popular government in the state amid persistent political uncertainty and a strong public demand for peace and stability.
Speaking to the media after a crucial BJP meeting at Thambal Sanglen, chaired by BJP Manipur President A Sarda Devi, Biren Singh said that the BJP is committed to resolving the ongoing crisis. “The BJP never criticises any political party. Our sole focus is to resolve the crisis and bring peace and stability to the state,” he said.
Noting the absence of gunfights over the last eight to nine months, he highlighted that the situation in Manipur has shown signs of improvement. Biren attributed this progress to the persistent efforts of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in restoring peace to the violence-affected region.
“The issue of illegal immigrants and drug trafficking has severely impacted not just Manipur but the entire Northeast. Now, people are beginning to understand the gravity of these problems,” he said.
Biren Singh also underlined the BJP’s ongoing push to form an elected government in the state, reflecting the aspirations of the people. “We are trying to form a popular government at the earliest,” he said.
BJP state president A Sarda Devi backed Biren’s remarks, saying that the party has conveyed the people’s demand for a representative government to the Centre. “In the coming days, all constitutional procedures will be taken up by the central government,” she said.
When asked about internal rifts within the BJP, Sarda Devi said, “Whether there is fraction or unity within the BJP will become clear in time. Slow and steady wins the race.”
She criticised the Congress for politicising the crisis, saying, “This is not the time for elections. Our priority is to restore peace and normalcy. We must understand the pulse of the people of Manipur and work collectively.”
On the recent observance of Sambhidhan Hatya Diwas (Constitution Murder Day), Sarda attacked the Congress for its role during the Emergency imposed on June 25, 1975. “During the Emergency, civil liberties were curbed, the media was silenced, and opposition leaders were jailed,” she said.
Responding to allegations of press suppression under BJP rule, she countered that it was the Congress that jailed journalists during the Emergency. “The Emergency was imposed to cling to power after Indira Gandhi’s election was declared null and void by the Allahabad High Court,” she said, adding that the BJP did not exist at the time it was the Bharatiya Jana Sangh.
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