Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 16
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has assured to bring sweeping changes and all-round development in Nagaland based on the principle of ‘Sabke saath, sabke vikas’ (Together with all, development for all) if voted to power.
On top of the agendas contained in the party’s manifesto for the upcoming Nagaland Assembly election is the elusive ‘Solution’ to the protracted Naga political issue, the pet electoral promise of all political parties.
Union minister for Defence, Nirmala Sitharaman, who released the manifesto here at Hotel Acacia on Friday in presence of Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rijiju, and Nagaland State BJP leaders and workers, said the coming election is a “critical” one taking in account the impending conclusion to the Naga peace talks.
The Union minister said the long pending Naga political issue, which many governments had attempted to solve in the past, finds its “due place” in the manifesto.
Rijiju said for long the problems of the North East were not given recognition and even in the case of the Naga political problem, it was only during the first BJP-led government under Prime Minister, AB Vajpayee, that the Naga issue was recognized as “unique.” Rijiju said now the second BJP government led by Narendra Modi started “dialogue (Naga peace talks) in much compact and composite manner.”
The Home minister said since the unresolved Naga issue was a problem faced by all Nagas and others living in Nagaland, the Centre was serious to bring solution.
Informing that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, and BJP President Amit Shah would soon be coming to Nagaland, he said the importance attached to Nagaland is unprecedented and that the election would be a “defining” election with regard to Naga political issue.
“This is not a routine election but crucial,” the Minister said and added that it would address “how Naga people can live a life of dignity and respect.”
“The BJP supports the early and lasting settlement of the Naga political issue in full cognizance and respect of the Nagas’ popular sentiment in the on-going peace process with the trust that the Nagas’ popular government will implement all the solutions arrived at in this respect,” the manifesto stated.
Rijiju, who is also BJP in-charge of Nagaland for the assembly election, said the manifesto has been “drafted carefully with lots of thoughts that all the needs of the people of Nagaland is taken care of. This is the first time that the BJP is taking election seriously and in a structured manner to form the government.”
On alliance with the regional party NDPP, he said the BJP respects regional aspirations and never bulldoze or try to impose its ways on others.
Earlier, State BJP president, Visazolie Lhoungu, delivered welcome address.
Highlights of BJP Nagaland manifesto:
• Support Nagaland political solution
• Innovative constituency infrastructure development
• Protection of all minorities
• Special programme for senior citizens
• Ensure good roads for all
• Housing for all
• Health for all
• Strengthening of organic farming
• Adopt stringent anti-corruption measures
• Strictly regulate foreign migrants
• Adaptation to climate change
• Employment for youth
• Empowerment of women
