Minister of State, Planning, Parliamentary Affairs, Science & Technology government of India, Ashwini Kumar expressed full confidence that the electorate of 26 Aonglenden constituency, in their wisdom, will vote for Dr. S.C. Jamir.He said this while interacting with press persons at Hotel Whispering Winds Mokokchung Thursday morning. The union minister expressed the belief that the May 7 by election will be a turning point in Nagaland politics. He said the electorate understood that the by election was not just to elect an MLA, but an election to determine the future course of Nagaland as they were going to elect the future chief minister of Nagaland.
Ashwini said the Congress was fighting the byelection on two major planks- firstly on the issue of who has the vision to secure a progressive future for the people of Nagaland and secondly, on whether false promise and political posturing alone can solve the problems of the state.
He affirmed that Dr. S.C Jamir has the full support and backing of the Congress leadership and UPA government for development of Nagaland and to lay the foundation for solving the political issues of the state.
Asked about the government of India\u2019s concern for Nagaland, Ashwini said Rs. 7000 crore rupees worth of plan outlay has been approved for Nagaland since 2004 and out of which almost 90% of it were by way of grants from the centre
He said \u201ceven though the Nagaland government is headed by a non-Congress party, the UPA has approved the largest outlay so far for the development of Nagaland without any discrimination whatsoever\u201d.
He said the people of Nagaland and their welfare has always been a matter of priority for Congress leadership and the UPA. He regretted that during the last few years there has been a huge developmental deficit in the state, with no proper roads, hospitals or new educational institutions in the state.
The minister asserted \u201cwe need to give Naga people quality education and employment opportunity to secure the future of the state\u201d. He pointed that it was imperative that employment opportunities are created within the state through massive private and public investments. He however reiterated that all this can be done only in an atmosphere of peace.
Ashwini appealed to voters to vote for peace, development and thereby secure the progress of all Naga people. For this purpose, he said \u201ca vote for Jamir will be a vote for development\u201d.
On his statement that the people will elect not only an MLA but the future Chief Minister, Ashwini replied that he believed the people would want their state to be led by a statesman and not only a politician. He also said that Jamir\u2019s life has been linked to the establishment of Nagaland state, and he enjoyed respect within the central leadership and therefore hoped he will definitely lead the next government. The Minister further added that the May 7 by-election was a tipping point and so it was no ordinary election. He added \u201cthis election is a call to the people of Nagaland to send a message\u201d.
The union Minister of State, Planning, Parliamentary Affairs, Science & Technology Ashwini Kumar was on his maiden visit to Mokokchung and campaigned for INC candidate Dr. S.C Jamir. After reaching Mokokchung on April 27, a public rally was held here at Ongpangkong Salang, Arkong Ward which was also attended by CLP Leader Tokheho Yepthomi, NPCC President S.I Jamir besides other CLP members and NPCC officials and the candidate Dr. S.C Jamir.
\u201cThis by-election is very important as it has drawn the attention of DAN and many groups who do not believe in the Indian constitution\u201d thundered Dr. S.C Jamir while addressing a public rally at Ongpangkong Salang, Arkong Ward on the evening of April 27 . He was addressing a rally where union Minister of State, Planning, Parliamentary Affairs, Science & Technology Ashwini Kumar was present in his maiden visit to Mokokchung to campaign for Dr Jamir.
Jamir also said that election was a time to speak about the future , the youths but lamented that the ministers of Nagaland, who have taken oath under the constitution and those who use India\u2019s money, were speaking against 16 point agreement. He said it was because they were not sure where they stand and they cannot even speak about the future.
Jamir went on to say \u201ca nation does not live in the past, but talks and live in the future\u201d. He said when they(DAN ministers) cannot even talk about today, how can they talk about tomorrow? \u201cThey can never bring solution to the Naga issue because they do not know what they are speaking\u201d, he added. He said on the other hand, \u201cthe Congress speaks for all and that the objective is to bring all Nagas together and speak for our future\u201d.
The union minister in his speech said he has had heard about the Naga tradition, that whenever a guest arrives to a Naga home, he is never sent empty handed and likewise, he said the gift for him for his visit will be the victory of Dr. S.C Jamir in the election.
He also said that politics at end of the day was a serious affair and that it involved serious thinking. He also said that by electing Jamir, \u201cyou are not doing a favour to him but to the Naga people\u201d. He further said Jamir deserved to be elected and asked to the people to rally behind him. He also disclosed that the Congress party believed that its strength was anchored in Nagaland with emotion. Urging upon the electorate to vote for Dr. Jamir, he said \u201cdecide correctly and chose wisely\u201d. He also assured that \u201cif Jamir is elected, you are electing the future Chief Minister of Nagaland\u201d.
The meeting was attended by a host CLP members led by its members, NPCC President and party workers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"