Prime Minister, Narendra Modi appealed to the Nagaland voters to vote for the BJP-NDPP alliance so that they could usher in political stability and development.
Modi was addressing the mammoth crowd at a combined election rally of BJP and NDPP, at Tuensang public ground today. He also assured the gathering that the Centre was working hard for a speedy and honourable settlement to the protracted Naga issue.
Modi struck a chord when he began his speech by reading out a salutation to the Naga people in Nagamese saying, “BJP, NDPP power te ahishe koile, development apuni laga bosti te punchai dibo (If BJP NDPP should come to power, we will bring development to your village)”, which received loud applause and cheers.
In a revelation that could be underscored as BJP’s determination to play a major role in the state by being in power when a solution is reached, Modi said the Naga solution could be expected within the next few months which would be honourable and well-deserving for the people of Nagaland. “I believe we’ll be able to hammer out a political solution to the Naga problem within the next few months,” he stated.
Prime Minister said the Centre has kept the door open for talks with anyone for finding a lasting solution to the Naga issues. He said the Centre was ready to talk to civil societies and other groups at any time. Significantly, he also mentioned that the Centre was also ready to talk with ENPO over the latter’s demands.
Walking the model code of conduct tightrope against announcing any packages, Modi described ENPO area as very backward and promised special packages and schemes for the area without going into specifics.
Modi credited the Nagas with having greatly contributed to nation building in diverse fields and assured the state that the Naga dignity and way of life would be respected and secured.
According to him, the Centre was according special priority to the North Eastern region through efforts to enhance its prosperity.
“Our government is committed to ensure all-round development of the North Eastern states”, he said.
The Prime Minister stated that in addition to the “Act East Policy”, the Central government had adopted the “Transformation by Transportation” policy and introduced the ‘NE Special Infrastructure Development’ scheme to advance infrastructural development of the power, telecom and road sectors in the region.
Highlighting the accomplishments and proposed developmental activities of his government for the region, Modi stated that in less than four years, the length of National highways has been increased from 1,000 km to 1,500 km in the state and right now work on projects worth about Rs, 6,000 crores was being carried out. An additional amount of more than Rs. 10,000 crores will be invested for constructing better roads in the next 3-4 years, he said.
More than Rs. 5,500 crores is being spent towards new railway connectivity including Rs. 3,000 crores for the Dimapur-Kohima railway line. He also added that proposal for a Dimapur-Shillong flight route had reached the Central government, which should provide direct flight connectivity between Dimapur and Shillong.
According to Modi, the Centre has allotted Rs. 800 crores in the past three years for regular power supply to all villages in the state; and with about 1 lakh homes without power in Nagaland, he said that his aim was to electrify all these homes for free.
He said that the government’s target was to house every family in the country by the year 2022 (75 years of independence), and with this vision it had been decided that Rs. 160 crores will soon be allotted for housing to the state.
The prime minister further promised that the Central government will spend around Rs. 1800 crore for making Nagaland’s capital Kohima a Smart City.
Modi also appreciated and saluted the various Naga civil societies and organizations for their efforts to ensure that the forthcoming elections were clean.
The Prime Minister said corruption posed a big challenge.
He promised that the BJP government at the centre, with the help of technology, would ensure that there were no loopholes in the system so that funds allotted for the state reaches the people.
“It is imperative for development that every penny from the Centre reaches the common man. The then Prime Minister (Rajiv Gandhi) had once said that only 15 paise reaches the common people as against every Re 1 released by the Centre. This must change. Our government is working towards this end and plugging loopholes and leaks” he asserted.
The Prime Minister said that every resource earmarked for Nagaland’s development would be spent on public welfare and there would be no tolerance for corruption. He also saluted the culture of the Naga people. “The Constitution of India respects Indian diversity and also calls for living in harmony with all sections of society. The culture of Nagaland is our pride and we will do everything possible to preserve and promote it,” he added.
While some people are playing politics in the name of religion, the people of the state must be part of new India by coming together and make a new Nagaland, the prime minister stated.
State BJP president, Visasolie Lhoungu, chaired the rally.
Before the prime minister’s arrival, Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rijiju, candidates from Tuensang districts including Rakhila (BJP), Imtilemba Sangtam (BJP), Mangko Chang (NDDP), C.M Chang (NNDP), Haying (BJP) and Tushi Wungtung (NNDP) also addressed the rally. BJP candidate, Pangyuh Phom of Longleng and Kashiho Sangtam of Seyochung-Sitimi were also in attendance.