Union Defence minister, Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said that the February 27 Nagaland Assembly election was very crucial for Nagaland as it required political stability and development. She said Nagaland was an important State for the country due to its geographical location.
Releasing the BJP’s election at the meeting organised at Hotel ACACIA here on Friday, she said: “Youngsters of Nagaland can be found all over India and the world doing good jobs. These opportunities are needed here too. Investments should come to Nagaland and everyone should get good jobs. The people have good mental aptitude and are good with any work they do,” she remarked.
Attacking Congress, Sitharaman said the country had seen maximum discriminations when the party was in power. Stating that a section of people were spreading rumours against BJP, she asked them to clarify if there was any discrimination in the States that were not governed by BJP.
Sitharaman alleged that Congress had discriminated people based on their work, caste and religion for the sake of votes. She clarified that BJP was not involved in politics of this sort.
Referring to a speech made by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in which he said “I was born on 25th December, the day when the Lord Jesus was born. When church bells were ringing, I was born”, Sitharaman wondered why BJP, guided by such a man, would ever harm anyone on religious grounds.
She stressed that Nagaland was in need of better connectivity in order to get access to better technology and a market for locally-produced handicrafts.
And this, she said, could be achieved for all the districts in the State through Central schemes like Udan.
Speaking on the occasion, Union minister of state for Home, Kiren Rijiju informed that BJP stalwarts, including Prime Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah, will be descending in Nagaland in the next week to step up the party’s election campaign in the State.
While Modi will be arriving at Tuensang on February 20, Shah will arrive in the State on February 23. Other senior BJP leaders too are scheduled to campaign in the State.
Rijiju said Nagaland had fallen by the wayside although its population was big enough. He alleged that the Naga problem or the problems faced by the North-eastern States were not given due attention by those who had governed the country in the past. It was only in 2003 that then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee recognised the uniqueness of Naga history and its problems, he pointed out.
“If you do not understand and recognise a problem, you will never be able to solve it,” he stressed.
Rijiju claimed that the BJP government, formed in 2014, started the dialogue process on the complex issue right from the start of its tenure in a proper manner and through appropriate means.
Referring to BJP’s manifesto for Nagaland, Rijiju said the manifesto was very crucial and urged all sections of the society to take it seriously since the State was facing a lot of hardships.
“The manifesto has been drafted carefully and deep thought has been to ensure that all needs of the people of Nagaland are well taken care of,” he claimed.
He added that although BJP had been taking part in the State’s Assembly elections for a long time, this was the first time that the party was taking part with all seriousness to form the next government with its alliance partner. He remarked that the upcoming election would shape the future of Naga people and Nagaland.
Earlier, the welcome address was delivered by state BJP president given by Visasolie Lhoungu and programme chaired by former state BJP president, Dr. M. Chuba Ao. The invocation was offered by pastor, David Khobung.
Meanwhile, the manifesto mentions supporting Naga political solution as one of BJP’s primary goals. It also aims to provide innovative constituency infrastructure development funds.
It further aims to protect all minorities and provide “special programme for senior citizens”.
The manifesto promises to ensure good roads, housing and health for all, while also promising to strengthen organic farming. BJP also mentioned about social and religious harmony, youth and women empowerment.
The party also aims to adopt stringent anti-corruption measures and strictly regulate illegal foreign migrants.