Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Naga People’s Front (NPF) have decided to further strengthen the ties between the two parties and work closer even in future for the peace and development of Nagaland.
According to a press release issued by media officer to chief minister, the decision was arrived at a meeting held between the BJP secretary, organization and in-charge of Nagaland Prashant Arora; State BJP president Dr. Chuba Ao; NPF president Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu and chief minister T.R. Zeliang on Wednesday at Hotel De Oriental Grand, Kohima. Both the BJP and NPF while agreeing to keep aside all past differences also decided not to let any individual interests disturb the decade old coalition and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen the DAN government in Nagaland.
The decision was endorsed by Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Jual Oram when he called on the chief minister at his official residence. The Union Minister who held a brief closed door meeting with the chief minister was accompanied by BJP National Convener Sampark Cell Sunil Deodhar; BJP Nagaland in-charge and secretary organization Prashant Arora; state BJP president Dr. Chuba Ao; state BJP general secretary K James Vizo; state BJP treasurer Bimal Sheti and parliamentary secretary of transport Paiwang Konyak.
Not much development in the last 10 yrs: Oram
Correspondent
KOHIMA, NOV 12 (NPN): Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Jual Oram Wednesday said nothing much has changed on the development front in Nagaland during the last 10 years. He however assured help to the state under his ministry.
Jual Oram said this after formally launching a workshop on BJP primary membership drive organized by Nagaland state BJP at Hotel Ura, Kohima.
The Union Minister also disclosed that the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Nagaland was yet to be confirmed. Oram said though the Prime Minister would visit some Northeast states towards the last part of November and first week of December, the visit of Modi to Nagaland was yet to be finalized. Oram also called on chief minister T. R Zeliang and discussed issues related to the state. He said it was the duty of the state government to set developmental agenda.
Asked whether the BJP party unit of Odhisha ever demanded for the removal of Odhisa Governor Dr. S.C Jamir, Jual Oram replied in the negative and said: “We don’t have such demand to remove him as the Governor of Odhisa. He and I are personal friends”, said Oram.
Interestingly, the Union Minister’s visit coincided with Dr. S.C Jamir as both were in the state capital Kohima for two separate programmes on Wednesday. Dr. Jamir was attending a seminar – “Leaders Arise”.
Meanwhile, Jual Oram Wednesday launched a massive primary membership drive during a workshop organized by Nagaland state BJP unit at Ura Hotel Wednesday.
Speaking at the launching programme, Oram urged BJP state unit party workers to go to all parts of the state for enrolling new members. He asserted that BJP was a democratic party unlike the Congress which was dynastic and family based party. He pointed out that Congress party’s credibility was “eroding” while regional parties’ influence was also declining. He said BJP was the only democratic party in the country in which any “common man” could become the Prime Minister or a national leader.
Oram informed that Modi government was ‘for all of us’ and urged party workers to make the people understand the objectives of the party.
National BJP SAMPARK cell convener Sunil Deodhar who was also present during the workshop defended the BJP from allegations that it was a communal party. He said: “It was wrong. No one oppose any religion and should live together in peace. Political parties were meant to work for development.”
Parliamentary secretary transport and DIPR P. Paiwang Konyak in his address said Nagas have accepted BJP since the 1970s but made little impact in state politics. He urged party workers to begin grassroots level works.
BJP Nagaland unit president Dr. M. Chuba Ao informed that in the first phase of the membership drive, the party’s target would be 20,000 members. He said BJP in the state would go for enrolment drive using modern technology starting from November 15 and continue till March 15, 2015.
MLA Dr. T. M Lotha also informed that people should know the objectives of the party stating that support would come from the grassroots level and also there was the need to instill the sense of participation and commitment to the party.
Party workers from various districts, state BJP leaders and others attended the workshop.