A day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first visit to Manipur after ethnic violence in the State, about 43 BJP members in the State unit resigned. PM is also scheduled to visit another north eastern State Mizoram to inaugurate a railway line and flag off new trains including Rajdhani Express to national Capital. Sources said PM will first land in Mizoram and then proceed to Manipur.
In a statement, the Manipur BJP members said they were “deeply concerned over the present state of affairs within the party” and highlighted “lack of consultation, inclusiveness, and respect for grassroots leadership” as key reasons behind the step.
The prime minister is likely to arrive in Manipur on Saturday, in what would be his first visit to the northeastern State since the ethnic violence broke out between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo people in May 2023, which claimed over 260 lives and rendered thousands homeless. The Centre had imposed President’s rule in Manipur after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned in February.
Modi is scheduled to lay foundation stones and inaugurate various development projects worth `8,500 crore in Manipur on September 13, officials said on Thursday. According to officials, Modi will lay foundation stones for various development projects valued at `7,300 crore from Peace Ground in Churachandpur where Kukis are in the majority.
