BJP assaulting Manipur's culture, tradition, says Rahul Gandhi

IMPHAL: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday hit out at the ruling BJP, saying the saffron party is assaulting the culture, history, tradition and language of Manipur.
Addressing a mammoth poll rally for the ensuing state assembly polls at Hatta Kangjeibung here, Rahul said " ... They (BJP) are coming here and assaulting not only your culture, not only your history, not only your tradition and language, but they are taking away your democratic structure, your democratic institution, your democratic values."
Manipur will go to the polls on February 28 and March 5 to elect 60 legislators and counting of votes will be held on March 10.
When the BJP and the RSS come to Manipur, they come without respect and understanding but with a "sense of superiority", the AICC general secretary charged.
"When I come here, I don't come with the sense of superiority, I come with humility because I understand that you have a lot to give, because I learn lot from you from the diverse tribes, from the valley , from the hills, from everybody here," he added.
That is not the idea that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi comes with, he said, adding that the PM comes with "the idea that he has the superior vision, he has a superior language, and he has the right to define India".
Countering the BJP government's claim that they provide governance to the people's doorstep in Manipur, Rahul said the government has not held the Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections in the hill districts for the last five years.
"How do you take governance to the doorstep if you do not empower the people of Manipur, if you do not allow the people of Manipur to hold elections?" questioned the Congress leader.
On the government's plan to take up palm oil cultivation in Manipur, Rahul said the PM "wants to destroy your future" by such projects and take "your beautiful state".