We want AFSPA lifted but with Centre's mutual consent; National security first priority: Manipur CM
India Today
The first BJP chief minister of the poll-bound state also asserted that the elections will show a massive change and his party will double the number of its seats.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday said the people of his state, including himself, want the withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act but only after mutual understanding with the Centre as national security is their top priority.
"I believe AFSPA can be lifted gradually with the consent of the central government. But, we must remember there is no political stability in Myanmar and we share the border with that nation," the chief minister told PTI in an interview here.
The first BJP chief minister of the poll-bound state also asserted that the elections will show a massive change and his party will double the number of its seats.
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"We are working hard to get a two-third majority. We have no pre-poll alliance but post-poll alliance can be forged if required," he said, while listing peace, development and harmonious co-existence as the BJP's main poll plank this time.
The Bhartiya Janata Party managed to form a government in 2017 despite having just 21 seats compared to Congress's 28 by joining hands with two local parties - NPP and NPF.
The elections for Manipur's 60-member state assembly will be held in two phases on February 27 and March 3.
