BJP will change agenda of polls in NE: Kiren Rijiju
Source: The Sangai Express / Zee Media Bureau

Imphal, February 20 2018: The North East is a key area of focus for the BJP, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju has said.

He said his party's goal is to have a footprint in all the States in the region.

In an exclusive interview with WION News's Kartikeya Sharma as election fever rises in three States in the region, Rijiju said the BJP intends to change the nature of political discourse and put development on the agenda instead of just identity and regionalism .

NEW DELHI, Feb 20 : Here are excerpts from the interview- .

Q: How important is North East for BJP?
A: Any election is important but NE is important because PM has set the agenda of Act East Policy which can only be implemented by an honest Government.

Many Governments in this region in past indulged in corruption.

We are not giving a token fight.

We have made an arrangement with newly formed NDPP.

We have a seat sharing arrangement with them.

I'm overseeing the entire election and response has been tremendous.

Q: Earlier there was an impression that BJP was primarily focused on Tripura ?
A: Tripura came into focus by the National media because it has been ruled by the Left party for decades and BJP unexpectedly took CPM head on.

When BJP picked up, it became a big news.

In Nagaland, the talks are also going on and it is a 70 year-old political problem.

We need to tell the people that we are committed to solving the Naga problem.

As a Minister from NE, I'm right now concentrating on Nagaland.

Q: In NE BJP did not show leap of faith which it showed in Maharashtra and Haryana ?
A: In the context of Nagaland, we could have gone alone but we took sensitivities into account.

We wanted a regional party to be part of 'us' to implement the Naga Accord as and when it is signed which we are expecting soon.

If we had gone alone, it would have given the impression that we are only interested in wresting power.

In Meghalaya, we are going alone.

We only have an understanding.

Q: When do you intend to announce the Naga Accord? The term of the Government would expire next year?
A: It is not a question of tenure.

It is a question of commitment.

PM from the day one has said that he wants to solve the issue.

The talks are progressing smoothly and nearing the agreement which we are looking forward too.

I feel that it should not take too much time.

Some critical issues remain and they need to be settled and once they, we can implement it.

Q: There is lot anxiety about the details of the draft agreement or what would the accord look like?
A: It was not an agreement.

It was a Framework Agreement on which the talk would progress.

It was a confidence building measure.

It is on that basis the talks have progressed.

Some political parties like Congress tried to give a spin but did not work.

Q: Are you saying that by this year it could be announced?
A: If you give a timeline, the problem starts.

It is not the question of how soon.

It is a question of commitment, and we are committed to it.

Q: Lot of people would say that BJP becomes another person when in North East? Unlike what it is in mainland?
A: Obviously, India is a large country and every community has its own say in its domain area.

If someone from JK goes to Tamil Nadu to say that their customs should be followed, the people will not listen.

People in Nagaland have different food habits and lifestyle and they are entitled to it.

Q: Is Congress still a force in North East?
A: Congress is paying a price for its misrule.

They have been in Meghalaya for a long time.

In Nagaland, Congress was strong, but today they are not at all in the fight.

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