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

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.

7:12 PM

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. 

7:12 PM

"The 'atke-latke-bhatke' (pending and forgotten) work culture prevailing during the previous government created a big loss for the country," Modi claimed. 

7:11 PM

Govt tracked and implemented projects worth Rs 12 trn 'lying in ditch': PM

 

PM Modi on Friday slammed the work culture prevailing under the previous government and said that after 2014, his government tracked and expeditiously implemented projects worth Rs 12 trillion which were "lying in a ditch" or "consigned to files". (Read more here) 

 

Addressing a rally in state capital Imphal, he alleged that under the earlier government, projects worth Rs 100 crore used to be completed at an escalated cost of Rs 200-250 crore, and this misuse of national wealth made him impatient.

7:04 PM

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

7:02 PM

Modi said the Integrated Check Post at Moreh, the border town of Manipur, will benefit the people of both India and Myanmar in trade and tourism. 

7:02 PM

'Delhi now closer to the North East'

 

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." (Read more here)

7:01 PM

Modi invokes Mary Kom

 

Modi praised Manipuri women for being at the forefront in all spheres. He recalled how Mary Kom, the international pugilist, had won fame for India. "It is in appreciation of the brilliant sportspersons of Manipur that the National Sports University was opened in Manipur," he said. (Read more here) 

7:01 PM

Modi said that 18,000 remote villages in Manipur had been electrified.

7:01 PM

The prime minister said that helicopter services had been introduced for the people and the construction of the Jiribam-Toupul rail line was progressing.

7:00 PM

Modi blames Congress for delayed projects in Manipur

 

In Manipur, Modi said that most of the projects were delayed by the previous Congress government, thereby wasting more money. "If the projects had been completed without delay, people would have benefited," he said. (Read more here) 

3:09 PM

The prime minister inaugurated eight key development projects and laid the foundation stones for four schemes in Manipur. 

3:08 PM

'Have developed system for delayed projects'

Considering this, PM Modi said he developed a system in the Prime Minister's Office. Under it, discussions were held with officials of the Centre and the state on the pending projects, impediments were removed and the implementation was expedited. 

3:07 PM

Modi alleged that projects worth Rs 12 trillion were "lying in a ditch" and "remained in files" during the tenures of previous governments.

3:07 PM

Addressing a rally in Imphal, Modi alleged that during previous governments, projects worth Rs 100 crore would be completed at an escalated cost of Rs 200-250 crore, and said this "misuse" of national wealth made him impatient. 

3:07 PM

Manipur projects 'lying in ditch' expedited after 2014: PM Modi

 

PM Modi on Friday alleged that key development projects for Manipur were "lying in a ditch" during the tenures of previous governments and said the NDA government was tracking and implementing them expeditiously. (Read more here) 

1:45 PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates several development projects and dedicates 400kV double circuit Silchar-Imphal line, in Imphal. Chief Minister N Biren Singh also present.