Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 16
In a symbolic gesture that the BJP is in full battle mode for the upcoming state assembly election, Union Defense Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman today pitched her tent in 4-Ghaspani-I Assembly Constituency, the biggest constituency in Nagaland with 65, 643 voters.
Addressing an election rally of Ghaspani-I A/C BJP candidate, Jacob Zhimomi, here at Chumukedima local ground, Sitharaman underscored the need for political stability in Nagaland as it is a strategic and important state of India.
The Defense minister said with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Act East policy’ in place, North-East India is now the gateway to the entire South East Asia and opened vast opportunities for NE people to take part in global trade. Sitharaman said the ‘Look East policy’ would particularly prove to be a boon for the youth of Nagaland and products made from Nagaland.
Unreserved in her praise of Naga products, she said whatever products made in Nagaland (be Naga jackets, woven shawls or handicraft), “the finishing touch is perfect.”
“But where is the opportunity for such skills? You need market, schemes and skill upgradation and technology to further your skills and opportunities”, Sitharaman said.
She also said Naga youth are found in almost all Indian cities working in different and enviable professions. “Such jobs and facilities should be set up at home”, she said and added talented Naga youth deserved to work in their own home state near their families.
Wooing the electorate with better connectivity (road, railway, airway and internet), infrastructure and development, the Union Minister said Naga people should get all facilities like citizens in other states, more so since Nagaland is located in a remote region along the international border.
On allegations of discrimination tagged to the BJP, Sitharaman said only political parties and people who cannot deliver good governance raise doubts and spread “fear irresponsibly.”
Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rijiju, in his address asserted that the NNDP-BJP alliance would form the next government in the state. He said Neiphiu Rio, a Chief Ministerial candidate of the alliance, has already been elected unopposed. Rijiju also claimed that in ENPO areas, the alliance would make a “clean sweep.”
Reminding the crowd that election comes only once in five years, he said if the people make the wrong decision, then they would suffer for the next five years.
BJP candidate for Ghaspani-I, Jacob Zhimomi meanwhile said that he chose to contest from the BJP as only a committed national party like the BJP can bring all round development in the state and each constituency. He also said that BJP is the only national political party to take keen initiative to solve the Naga political problem.
