Nadda, Rio and others at the joint campaign launching programme of NDPP- BJP in Kohima on February 14. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 14
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National president JP Nadda today launched the joint campaign of NDPP- BJP for February 27 Nagaland polls.
Addressing the gathering at Capital Cultural Hall, Kohima, Nadda paid respect to the people of Nagaland and appreciated how they have preserved their rich culture, languages, and festivals. He however held that the state was “ignored by the previous government” not just in terms of culture and the basic ethos the Naga people, but also its history.
He was of the view that Nagaland, under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, was able to have a stable government and is now a place of peace, prosperity and development.
He said that elections and voting is not meant to be decided on flimsy grounds, it needs a very serious deliberation to come to a conclusion on who should take up the power.
Nadda went on to state that the growth rate of India is going forward and the Indian economy is the fastest growing economy in the world. He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has immense respect for the tribal culture and wants to ensure that are not left behind but brought into the mainstream.
In this connection, he pointed out that Droupadi Murmu, a tribal woman, became the President of India, and also stated that Modi has eight ministers from tribal communities in his cabinet and 3 Governors from the tribal community.
He said that North East region is the gateway for the country’s development, adding that the country and the PM believes in ‘HIRA’— H for highways, I for Internet, R for Railways, A for Airways. He also said that 12 airstrips are coming to Nagaland and urged the people to see what the state will become and the opportunities it will get for tourism after 5 years.
Touching on the Naga political issue, he said that, “Modi is very enthusiastic about the solution of the Naga issues and Amit Shah has tirelessly worked with the alliance government and that we have tried our level best.”
It has come to the final stage and in coming time we will go forward in that direction, Nadda said.
According to him, Modi’s leadership understands the regional aspirations of the Naga people and wants to bring it, assimilate it, and go forward to see what has to be done. Also appreciating Rio for his leadership, he said “we will see that the strong Nagaland goes forward with the support of the Central Government and support of PM Modi.”
40-20 partnership based on trust: Rio
In his speech, CM and NDPP leader Rio thanked the national BJP president, PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for reposing faith in his leadership and ensuring a firm coalition between the NDPP and the BJP.
He said that the 40-20 partnership is based on trust and “our agenda is development and peace.”
“At the top of the NDPP-BJP alliance’s concern is resolution of the decades old Naga political issue. Nagas are crying out for peace and we are all yearning for a solution at the earliest possible,” he said.
According to Rio, his government has made significant efforts in their role as facilitators of the peace process. Consultative meets with all stakeholders, formation of the opposition-less government and institution of the Parliamentary Committee on Naga Political Issue were some of the many steps he said that they have undertaken in order to create an atmosphere that is conducive towards realisation of an early solution. He also thanked the Modi government for signing the Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position.
“The relaxation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in select areas, the resolution of the Eastern Nagaland issue and the wholesome support on the development agenda have been well received by the masses. We hope that in the near future, the Government of India will take decisive steps to take Nagaland forward. We shall extend our unstinted support in these common endeavours,” Rio said.
We have been appealing to the Government of India for realization of some major projects that will change the development destiny of the Nagas. We are hopeful that these will be included in the Common Minimum Programme which will be launched very soon in the next few days, Rio said.
He said that the NDPP-BJP alliance is on strong ground and “we are confident that with blessings of Almighty God and the mandated of the masses, our combination will return to run the affairs of the state in the next term too.”
Stating that there should not be any confusion or misunderstanding between the two parties, he reiterated that they are not contesting against each other in any segment. Respective party cadres will support either BJP or NDPP candidates wherever they are standing, he maintained.
The development vision of the Modi government is well appreciated all over the country and here in Nagaland too we have been positively impacted by the initiatives, he said. Together, we aspire to take all aspects of Nagaland towards ‘A State of Excellence’ so that the citizens of Nagaland can make greater contributions towards the nation building process, Rio added.
Wishing the all the candidates of the alliance all success, Rio was hopeful that NDPP- BJP alliance will all come back with a thumping majority. “We are all looking forward to welcoming the Honourable Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister during the election campaign and we are excitedly looking forward to working under their leadership in the coming years.”
‘BJP- NDPP alliance set to open another innings together’
BLP leader and Deputy CM Y Patton maintained that the BJP- NDPP alliance is a popular government and has completed five years under the leadership of CM Rio.
“Earlier, in Nagaland, we could not give a stable government but during the last tenure of our Alliance, we have worked together for peace and development in our state,” Patton said adding that the overall law and order situation has also improved and crime rate has come down drastically.
The BJP- NDPP alliance is time tested and is set to open another innings together and we look forward to do better by charting out clear cut policies, even as we envision for a New Nagaland, a Nagaland that is, self reliant, resilient and relevant, Patton said. The people of Nagaland are happy with the progress and developments taking place in all nooks and corners in the recent times, he added.
Further, he said that the people have put their trust in the Modi led government, which according to him, has brought developments to the remotest parts of the country.
He assured that during this forthcoming election, the Alliance will do better than last time and get absolute majority to form the government.
Stating that the Alliance could not allot party tickets to all the aspirants due to the seat sharing formula, he urged upon everyone not to lose heart, but work together with the Alliance candidates and be part of the ruling government.
“I also call upon all the BJP and NDPP officials and party workers to give out our best efforts during these two weeks’ time and work together to ensure a thumping victory,” Patton added.
The programme was chaired by NDPP spokesperson Merentoshi Jamir while NDPP secretary general Abu Metha delivered welcome address. Nagaland BJP president Temjen Imna Along proposed vote of thanks.
The campaign also witnessed the presence of BJP National Secretary Rituraj Biswas, BJP National spokesperson Nalin Kohli and John Barla, Minister of State for Minority Affairs.
