Kohima, February 14 (MTNews): BJP National President JP Nadda said on Tuesday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is enthusiastic about the solution of Naga issues and that the Naga political issue has now come to the final stage.
Addressing a joint meeting of the BJP and the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) at the Capital Cultural Hall in Kohima, Nadda said that Home Minister Amit Shah has tirelessly worked for a solution to the Naga issue.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Deputy Chief Minister Y. Patton and Nagaland Minister Temjen Imna Along are witness to it, “that we have tried our level best, it has come to the final stage. In coming times, we’ll go forward in that direction,” Nadda said.
Nadda who arrived on Tuesday to launch the party’s manifesto for the ensuing Assembly polls said, “Five years back previous governments were known for bandhs, blockades, insurgency, abduction and targeted killings. But under dynamic leadership of Neiphiu Rio, we were able to have a stable government and now can say it’s a place of peace, prosperity and development.”
He further said that election and voting are not meant to be decided on “very flimsy grounds.” He said it needs very serious deliberation to come to a conclusion as to who should take up the reins of power.
Referring to the demand for a separate ‘Frontier Nagaland’ state, Nadda said that whatever commitment is made by Amit Shah on this demand will be implemented in letter and spirit.
BJP’s election manifesto focuses on Eastern Nagaland
A special package for Eastern Nagaland, a Naga cultural research fund, free education for girls till post-graduation, free two-wheeler to meritorious girls and two free LPG cylinders were among the major promises BJP made.
Releasing the BJP manifesto ‘Vision Document-2023’ at the state party headquarters in Kohima on Tuesday, BJP President JP Nadda said that if the BJP-Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) comes to power, an Eastern Nagaland Development Board would be set up for the holistic development of the region and a special package would be given for the development of Eastern Nagaland.
Nadda said that once the BJP-NDPP comes to power, a dedicated Nagaland Cultural Research Fund with an investment of Rs. 1,000 cr will be established to promote research, protection, and conservation of languages and culture.
The Saramati Cultural University would be established in Kiphire with an investment of Rs 500 cr to promote Naga culture. Around Rs 100 cr would be spent to promote all major tribal festivals, Nadda said.
To empower women, the party also assured to introduce Neidonuo Angami Women Welfare Scheme, under which a bond of Rs. 50,000 will be provided for the birth of a girl child.
Free-of-cost, quality education to all female students from KG to PG was also promised. The party also promised to initiate Temsula Ao Empowerment Mission to encourage formation of more women SHGs and provide them with credit linkages.
The party also promised 2 free-of-cost LPG cylinders would be provided for all Ujjwala beneficiaries every year and to launch CM Free Scooty Scheme to provide free scooty to meritorious college going female students.
Rs. 200 crore has also been promised for the establishment of a dedicated unit for Mother and Child care in all district hospitals.
As for the youth, the party promised to provide 2 lakh self-employment opportunities in the next 5 years through the establishment of Software Technology Parks, Kohima, Agro Processing, textiles, MSMEs, tourism, and so on.
Rs.500 crore has also been promised to launch a Nagaland Skill Development University adding that digital tablets would be provided to all the meritorious students of Classes 10 and 12, while Dr. Talimeren Ao Sports Scholarship will be introduced to recognize aspiring sportspersons.
“We will establish Imkongliba Ao State University to improve the access and quality of higher education,” Nada said.
In healthcare, the party has promised to double the per-family annual insurance cap from Rs. 5-10 lakh under Ayushman Bharat. BJP also promised to invest Rs. 500 crores to double the number of beds across all government hospitals and expand the presence of daycare clinics in the state.
The party also said that timely completion and commencement of the Kohima and Mon Medical Colleges would be ensured.
Further, the party assured to ensure 100% Direct Benefit Transfer coverage for all government schemes. These were among other assurances and promises made by the party.
The BJP leader said that the Central government would expedite the construction of the Trans-Nagaland Highway to enable easy access across districts, especially from Eastern Nagaland.
In conclusion, referring to the demand for a separate ‘Frontier Nagaland’ state, Nadda said that whatever commitment is made by Amit Shah on this demand will be implemented in letter and spirit.
Partnership between NDPP and BJP based on trust, its agenda is development and peace: CM Rio
Nagaland Chief Minister and Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) leader, Neiphiu Rio has expressed appreciation to the national BJP leadership, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah for reposing faith in his leadership and ensuring a firm coalition between NDPP and BJP. Rio was speaking at the NDPP-BJP campaign, where BJP National President, J P Nadda attended as the star campaigner at Kohima today.
Rio said the 40-20 partnership between NDPP and BJP is based on trust and its agenda is development and peace. He said, at the top of the NDPP-BJP alliance’s concern is resolution of the decades-old Naga Political Issue. Rio also expressed appreciation to the Narendra Modi led Government for signing the Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position, relaxation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in select areas, resolution of the Eastern Nagaland issue and the wholesome support on the development agenda.
Emphasizing that his government has been appealing to the Centre for realization of some major projects that will change the development destiny of the Nagas, Rio hoped that these will be included in the Common Minimum Program which will be launched very soon in the next few days.
Reiterating that the NDPP-BJP alliance is on strong ground, Rio said with the mandate of the masses, their combination will return to run the affairs of the State in the next term too.