Imphal, Sept. 2 -- BJP MP Sambit Patra on Wednesday welcomed the decision to defer the 2027 census in Manipur, saying the Centre has a "special place" for the state and that the decision was a "big step" towards addressing the aspirations of its people.

During a brief interaction with the media, Patra thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for convening a high-level meeting where the decision to defer the census in Manipur was taken.

"The central government, the Modi government, has a special place for Manipur in its heart. In keeping with that, and the presentation by the people of Manipur that the Census 2027 should be deferred, we are thankful to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit ...