Congress president Rahul Gandhi would arrive here on Tuesday to kick-start the election campaign in the north-eastern States. Of the 25 MPs to be elected by the north-eastern States, two would be from Manipur.
Mr. Gandhi will arrive in Arunachal Pradesh and then reach Imphal where he would stay for the night. The next day he will leave for Tripura. He is likely to announce the names of the two Congress candidates during his stay in Imphal. He would also address a public meeting at Hafta Kangjeibung on Wednesday.
The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee issued a statement welcoming Mr. Gandhi.
‘Failed promises’
The party accused the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in the State of taking the tribals for a ride by promising to implement certain measures which they could never do. The promise that the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission would be implemented was a cruel joke, the party said.
The Congress also attacked the State government for the midnight raids carried out at students’ hostels and residences of professors of Manipur University for demanding the removal of the vice-chancellor.
The BJP and the Congress, which are the major players in the Lok Sabha polls in Manipur, are yet to announce their candidates. Both are waiting for the other to blink first to assess the party's strength.