LS polls campaign highlights: NRC won't impact genuine citizens, says Modi

The countdown for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections has begun with Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing rallies in Manipur and Assam on Friday. Catch PM Modi in North East LIVE updates

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated eight projects during his one-hour visit to Manipur on Friday. He also laid the foundation stones of four other projects, which will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 1,500 crore.

Despite a boycott call given by some insurgent outfits, there was a huge crowd at Hapta Kangjeibung where Modi addressed a public meeting.

The prime minister said that Delhi was now closer to the northeastern region. He said: "As prime minister, I have visited the region 30 times." 

Modi arrived at Imphal amid a shutdown and boycott imposed by some underground organisations protesting against his visit. Normal life was disrupted during the shutdown. All shops, commercial institutes, schools and colleges were shut. 

Further, the prime minister assured the people of Assam that no genuine citizen would be left out of the NRC and hoped that the citizenship Bill would soon get the Parliament's nod.  

The prime minister arrived at Silchar in the Cachar district from Imphal as part of the first phase of his election campaign, wherein he is scheduled to address rallies in 20 states in 100 days before the model code of conduct comes into force. 

The BJP and its allies are setting the target to win 21 out of the 25 parliamentary seats in the eight states in the region. In Assam, the party hopes to win at least 11 of the 14 seats.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, BJP had made massive inroads in Assam, winning seven of its 14 parliamentary seats. In the 2016 Assembly polls, the party emerged as the single-largest party with 61 seats, while its alliance partners, AGP and BPF, had won 14 and 12 seats, respectively.    

7:42 PM

Recalling his inauguration of the country's longest rail-cum-road bridge at Bogibeel in upper Assam on December 25, Modi said, "I am fortunate to be with the people of Assam for the second time in 10 days. The Barak and Brahmaputra valleys are a source of inspiration not only for the state but also for the country." 

7:41 PM

"I am indebted to the people of Assam for voting for the BJP in the recent panchayat elections and I am committed to repay this debt by ensuring the development of the state," Modi said. 

7:41 PM

Modi also spoke about his government's decision to implement Clause 6 of the Assam Accord "hanging" for 35 years. "Now the road is clear to safeguard social, cultural and linguistic identity of Assam."

7:41 PM

Govt moving ahead with Citizenship (Amendment) Bill: Modi

 

"The government is also moving ahead with the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. It is linked with emotions and related to peoples' lives. It is not for the benefit of anyone but a penance against the injustice and many wrongs done in the past. I hope the Bill will be passed soon in Parliament," Modi said, flagging off the BJP's Lok Sabha poll campaign in the Northeast. (Read more here) 

7:40 PM

"I am aware of the problems and difficulties faced by many during the NRC (National Register of Citizens) process but I assure you that no injustice will be done to any genuine Indian citizens," Modi told the Vijay Sankalp Samavesh Rally at Kalinagar near Silchar.

7:39 PM

No genuine citizen will be left out of NRC, assures PM

 

In Assam's Silchar, PM Modi on Friday assured the people of the state that no genuine citizen would be left out of the NRC and hoped that the citizenship Bill would soon get the Parliament's nod. (Read more here)

 

The prime minister arrived at Silchar in the Cachar district from Imphal as a part of the first phase of his poll campaign, wherein he is scheduled to address rallies in 20 states in 100 days before the model code of conduct comes into force. 

7:26 PM

The prime minister laid the foundation stone of projects like the infrastructure development of the Dhanamanjuri University in Imphal, sports facilities and others.

7:26 PM

The prime minister also inaugurated the 400kV double circuit Silchar-Imphal line.

7:26 PM

In Manipur, the prime minister unveiled the plaque to mark the inauguration of various projects, including the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Moreh, the Dolaithabi Barrage project, the FCI food storage godown at Sawombung, the Eco-Tourism Complex at Thangal Surung and various water supply schemes. (Read more here)  

7:15 PM

Chandel district of Manipur is among the top 100 aspirational districts of the country in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Modi said. 

7:14 PM

Modi pitches for 'transformation by transportation'

 

"My government's policy is transformation by transportation. All the state capitals of northeast states will be linked by the railways," Modi said. (Read more here) 

7:13 PM

In the northeastern region, the government has built 2,500 km of national highways and 300 km in Manipur alone in last four years, Modi said. 

7:13 PM

The prime minister said the projects which he had inaugurated were expected to improve the lives of the people in the state. "Go to hills and villages of the state. You will find the Manipur government has reached the far-flung areas," he said. 

7:12 PM

Governments for the last 30-40 years had kept Manipur far away from the benefits of development, the PM alleged.

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Invoking Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Modi said that Manipur, where the INA led by Bose had formed the first provincial government of Independent India, will now show a way to the New India.