BJP National President, JP Nadda addressing a rally for the PDA candidate, Dr Chumben Murry at the Agri Expo, 4th Mile in Chümoukedima on Saturday. (Photo Courtesy: JP Nadda@X)
Assurance of ‘fine-tuning’ political accords once Modi reassumes power
Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 13
With only 6 days left for the first phase of the Lok Sabha 2024 polls, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance’s electioneering machine touched ground in Nagaland on April 13. The BJP National President, JP Nadda addressed a rally for the PDA candidate, Dr Chumben Murry at the Agri Expo, 4th Mile in Chümoukedima.
Nadda took to the stage with guns blazing, pillorying the Indian National Congress and juxtaposing the latter’s rule with the NDA’s, especially under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that the Congress and the opposition UPA coalition are paying the price of squandering the opportunities it had. “Congress had his share of time in power but never respected the opportunity which was given to them. As a result, development and prosperity took a backseat,” he said. In Nagaland, he said that the Congress is aiming for Delhi without even a seat in Kohima.
In contrast, under the leadership of Modi in Delhi and Rio in Nagaland, he claimed that Nagaland is transitioning to better days ahead. Modi’s vision is to not only “Act East” but to transform the northeastern region into a Gateway to Southeast Asia, he said.
While the congress forgot and neglected the NE, he said that Modi’s formula has been to “act east, act fast and act first.” According to him, Modi has changed the culture, definition, style and approach of politics by affecting transformative policy shift.
He said that to the Congress, the NE was no more than a place to “divide and rule.” Today, he said that the Modi government has introduced the “PM DevINE” initiative or the PM’s Development Initiative for the NE region, while allocating Rs 6600 cr.
He said, “Today, for Delhi neither Dimapur nor Kohima is remote... Earlier it was a policy of isolation and neglect, today, it is about decisiveness and doorstep delivery of development.
Supporting his claims, he then listed a number of development initiatives taken by the Modi regime in agriculture, hydroelectricity, solar energy and infrastructure development like highways, railways, air and rural connectivity in the region.
“All the Prime Ministers put together has not visited the NE as much as Modi has done,” he said, while stating that Modi considers the NE as the ‘Ashtalaxmi,’ which is founded on 8 pillars or symbols of progress— peace, power generation, tourism, 5G connectivity, preservation of culture, sports and organic agriculture.
In Nagaland, Modi, together with Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio is working towards the development of HIRA - Highways, Internet, Railways and Air connectivity, he added.“In one year's time, the Dimapur rail station will not be indistinguishable from an airport,” he said.
According to him, tax devolution to Nagaland has increased by 7-fold and Grants-in-Aid doubled, while substantial funds have been allocated for sports development in Nagaland.
As opposed to the NDA leadership, he labeled the Congress and the INDIA coalition a collective of corrupt and nepotistic netas (politicians). He said, “They are all under the cloud of corruption. Its leaders are either on bail or in jail.”
Naga political issue
Nadda further assured that the NDA government will further carry forward the Framework Agreement with the NSCN (IM) and Agreed Position with the WC, NNPGs after Modi reassumes power for a third time. He said that Delhi will work towards “fine-tuning” the accords under the principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas aur Sabka Prayas.”
As far as the security situation of the NE region was concerned, he said that significant progress has been made in inking peace accords leading to the surrender of 9500 “insurgents.” He added that there has been significant reduction in attacks on security forces and civilians.
