Ashtalakshmi vision: Centre cites gains, Oppn points to Manipur unrest

The Centre highlights a decade of development under PM Modi, while the Opposition criticises its handling of Manipur unrest and the PM's continued absence from the state

It has been 10 years since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to collectively describing India’s northeastern states as Ashtalakshmi, likening the eight states to the eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi. Until then, the states in the Northeast were described as the “seven sisters” and the “brother” state of Sikkim.”  

 

The Centre has maintained that it has successfully resolved some of the region’s contentious issues in the last 10 years and allocated more money for infrastructure development. The period has also witnessed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expanding its electoral footprint in the region, while the Opposition has, since May 2023,