HT Bureau
DIMAPUR/SHILLONG, Feb 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday claimed that the Congress used Northeast as an ATM, while the BJP considers the eight states of the region as ‘Ashtalakshmi’ (eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi) and is working for its peace and development.
Addressing a joint election rally of the BJP and NDPP at Chumoukedima near Dimapur, he said the NDA is striving to bring permanent peace in Nagaland so that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 is completely lifted from the state.
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“The country can’t be run by distrusting your own people but by respecting and solving their problems. Earlier, Northeast had politics of divide, but we have now transformed it into ‘devine’ governance (Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East or PMDevINE). The BJP does not discriminate against people on the basis of religion or region and religion,” Modi said.
Noting that there was political instability in Nagaland during the Congress rule, he claimed that the grand old party remote-controlled Northeast from Delhi, and siphoned off money meant for its development, while giving primacy to “dynasty politics, from Delhi to Dimapur”.
“The Congress and its partners’ policy for Northeast has been to ‘get vote and forget’. Congress leaders from Delhi turned a blind eye to the problems of Nagaland. Ten years ago, nobody would have dreamt that circumstances could change in the region,” he said.
“We are putting in efforts in connecting hearts and bridging the gap between Delhi and Northeast,” the PM said.
Modi claimed the BJP has put a big dent in corruption by employing technology, as a result of which money sent from Delhi is directly credited to beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
He said Rs 400 crore has been directly transferred to the bank accounts of farmers under PM Kisan Nidhi.
The PM asserted that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has adopted three mantras for running Nagaland — peace, progress and prosperity.
“The focus of every central government scheme has been women, tribals and the poor. The BJP also gave Nagaland its first woman Rajya Sabha MP,” he said.
Noting that there has been a 75 per cent reduction in incidents of violence in Nagaland, he asserted that many youths have returned to the mainstream.
“We have worked for the infrastructural development of the Northeast. The change is evident. We will support the youth in sectors ranging from tourism to technology, and sports to start-ups,” he said.
“Elect BJP and NDPP candidates with massive margins and give me more strength to work for Nagaland as I want to fulfil my promises made to Naga people,” Modi said.
Modi, who was in Shillong to campaign for candidates contesting the upcoming assembly election, trained his guns at the other political parties in the state and said, “They have treated Meghalaya as an ATM machine, for what? For their own benefit.”
Asking people not to be fooled, Modi said, “This kind of politics – especially dynastic politics in the state in the last few years has ruined the state but I am happy to say that Meghalaya and the entire Northeast are with the Lotus now.”
Modi was addressing a huge gathering at Khyndai Lad after taking out a roadshow in Shillong.
PM Modi hit out at Congress during an election rally in poll-bound Meghalaya’s capital city Shillong.
Further, Modi also launched a scathing attack on the Congress in context with Pawan Khera’s “Modi Teri kabar khudegi” remark.
“Some people who have been rejected by the country are immersed in sadness and are now saying ‘Modi, your grave will be dug,’ but the people of the country are saying that ‘Modi, your lotus will bloom’. The people of the country will give a befitting reply to such people,” Modi said in Shillong.
Prime Minister Modi further asserted that Meghalaya needed to be free of dynastic politics directly attacking family of PA Sangma (father of chief minister Conrad Sangma) and family of former chief minister and TMC leader Mukul Sangma.
Stating that Meghalaya wants a ‘people first’ government instead of a ‘family first govt’, Modi said BJP is growing in the northeast. Alleging that a few people made Meghalaya a family government, and gave priority to protect their personal interests, he said the northeast is becoming a strong force due to the initiatives taken by the Central government.
“I will return your love with development work in Meghalaya,” said Modi.
After arriving, he paid floral tributes to three freedom fighters of the state – U Tirot Sing, U Kiang Nangbah and Pa Togan Sangma at the state Central library.
Later, he addressed another rally in Tura.
Both Nagaland and Meghalaya go to polls on February 27. (With inputs from PTI)
