Watch: PM Modi plays drums, gong in Manipur ahead of polls; invokes Netaji Bose in speech

With elections approaching in multiple states, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen touring the Northeast on January 4. During his trip to Manipur, the PM participated in a candid interaction with local musicians and even played their traditional instruments.

The Prime Minister was in the state to inaugurate 13 projects worth around Rs 1,850 crore. He also laid the foundation stone of 9 projects worth around Rs 2,950 crore. The projects range from road infrastructure, to information technology, and skill development.

Addressing a public gathering in Imphal, PM Modi accused past governments of ignoring the Northeast by considering it too far from Delhi to pay attention to. After 2014, the entire Government of India was brought to Manipur's doorstep, Modi said.

The Prime Minister also sought to strike a patriotic note by stating that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's army had hoisted their flag in the Northeast and the legendary freedom fighter had called the region the gateway to India's liberation. PM Modi said that the Northeast is now the gateway to fulfilling the dreams of 'New India'.

The BJP-led ruling alliance government, with N. Biren Singh as Chief Minister, is hoping to return to power in Manipur in the upcoming elections with issues like AFSPA expected to dominate the headlines.