New Govt will act tough against those involved in extortion
Prime Minister Narendra Modi maintained that the BJP was focussed on three ‘Ps’ mantra for Nagaland– Peace, Progress and Prosperity and most importantly, assured that strict action will be taken against those engaged in extortion activities in Nagaland.
The prime minister spelt out BJP’s core objectives for Nagaland while addressing a joint rally of the BJP-NDPP alliance at a jam-packed Agri Expo ground, Chümoukedima on Friday. Those present at the rally included chief minister Neiphiu Rio, deputy CM Y. Patton, all five NDPP-BJP candidates from Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Niuland districts, Central and State BJP leaders and senior NDPP officials.
“Permanent peace and progress in Nagaland is the basis of BJP’s politics. After March 2 (new government formation) strict action would be taken against those engaged in extortion,” he promised.
He claimed that BJP’s mantra for Nagaland (Peace, Progress and Prosperity) was the reason why people’s trust in the party was rising. Modi expressed happiness at the popularity of NDPP-BJP alliance in the State, noting that the support he saw in Nagaland for the alliance was because both the parties were working day and night for the progress of Nagaland.
While Modi did not speak on the vexed Naga political issue, he assured that the NDA government was also striving to bring permanent peace in the State so that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 could be completely lifted.
Attacks Cong: Modi made a hard-hitting attack on Congress by accusing the grand old party of remote-controlling Nagaland from Delhi and using the North Eastern states like an ATM for misusing funds meant for development of the region.
He alleged that corrupt Congress leaders would misuse the public fund for which, he claimed the region, including Nagaland, was now punishing the party.
However, Modi asserted that BJP considered the eight States of the region as “Ashtalakshmi” (eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi) and was working for its peace and development.
Modi recalled how a former Congress Prime Minister (Rajiv Gandhi) had once stated that when the Centre released Re 1, only 15 paise reached the people. But in the case of Nagaland, he alleged that even that 15 paise did note reach the people under Congress rule.
However, under BJP, Modi said with the help of technology, it has curbed corruption in the Northeast and that money was now directly reaching bank accounts of the people without cuts of commission. Modi also pointed that earlier even ration card holders had to pay for ration, while many did not even get full ration.
He reminded the gathering that he had personally visited the region numerous times, whileUnion ministers kept coming to the region on regular basis.
“Help me to serve the people of Nagaland better and fulfil my promises. It will be possible only if you elect our representatives,” Modi appealed.
Also addressing the gathering, chief minister Neiphiu Rio stated that the Prime Minister’s visit to State and rallying for NDPP-BJP candidates was an icing on the cake for the alliance. He also expressed his gratefulness to Modi for giving special attention to Nagaland. “Our country is privileged to have a leader like Modi,” he remarked.
Rio also spoke on how the Central government had changed its focus from “Look East” to “Act East” and highlighted the various developmental initiatives of the coalition government.
He also pointed out how India had become one of the fastest growing economies in the world under Modi’s leadership. He expressed the hope that the Naga political issue would be resolved under his leadership.
In his speech, deputy chief minister Y Patton informed the gathering that Modi’s visit to Nagaland was 57thto the Northeast in the past nine years, while Manmohan Singh, who was Prime Minister for 10 years, had not visited the State even once.
He referred to Modi’s statement “When the Northeast is developed, entire country is developed”, and appealed to voters of Dimapur and Ghaspanui to cast their votes for BJP and NDPP candidates.
He reiterated that the NDPP-BJP alliance did not need any political party to form the next government, and assured good and stable governance for peace and development in the State.
Meanwhile, in his brief address, BJP national spokesperson Nalin Kohli clarified that the rumours being spread that LJP (RV), NCP or RPI (A) were in alliance with BJP in the State were not correct, and that the BJP-NDPP candidates were joint candidates. He asserted that the alliance did not need these parties to form the next government.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by NDPP general secretary Abu Metha, invocation was offered by Rev Dr Pughoboto and welcome address delivered by PHE minister and BJP candidate for 4 Ghaspani II constituency Jacob Zhimomi.
Short speeches were also delivered by BJP candidate for 1 Dimapur I constituency Tovihoto Ayemi, 2 Dimapur II NDPP candidate Moatoshi Longkumer, 3 Dimapur III NDPP candidate Hekani Jakhalu and NDPP candidate for 5 Ghaspani II Zhaleo Rio.
Some of the key takeaways from Modi’s joint rally
Some of the key takeaways of Prime Minister Modi’s joint rally, highlighted some of the initiatives taken up by the NDA-led Central government.
Improved connectivity under BJP: National highway network in Nagaland has almost doubled as compared to the year 2014, while Nagaland is to be connected to Myanmar. Eight flights routes to other Northeastern States under the UDAN scheme. Nagaland got its second railway station after 100 years and that railway connectivity to Kohima was also being worked upon.
No discrimination on the basis of region or religion: Modi said the BJP-led government are not biased in favour of any region or religion and want peace and prosperity for all.
The government distributed the Covid vaccine without any discrimination. NDA infrastructure and welfare schemes was for all under the slogan “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas or Sabka Prayas”.
He said BJP was focused on the poor, tribals, and women. 55,000 houses have been allocated for the poor of Nagaland and in the last three and half years, 3,50,000 households have got water connections
During Congress’ rule, the grant released for Nagaland was around Rs. 2,000 crore while BJP government has more than doubled the amount, allocating a budget of around Rs 5,000 crore.
Tourism, technology, sports & startups: He said that Central government was helping the youth in tourism, technology, sports, and startups. Software technology park in Kohima was a big initiative. Keeping in mind Nagaland’s potential in sports and making India as world’s sports power, he said Khelo India state center of excellency was setup in Nagaland to provide basic facilities for wrestling, archery and boxing.
He claimed that he felt proud to remember Dr T Ao and stressed harnessing State’s sport potential.
PM-DevINE:Earlier the policy was to divide North East, but NDA government changed it to “Divine Governance model” and came up with a special scheme called PM-DevINE for the development of North East. He also said that due to NDA government’s concern, border disputes were getting resolved swiftly in the region.