Zeliang hardsells Modi to Assam voters
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Dimapur, March 31 2016: Heaping praises on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his visions and plans for the North East, Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang said the North East States will benefit more if the State Governments align with the PM and his political party at the Centre.

Campaigning for BJP's official candidate for Bokajan Assembly Constituency of Assam bordering Nagaland, Dr Numal Momin, this morning and sharing the dais with Union Minister for HRD Smriti Irani at Bokajan town, the Chief Minister pointed out that during the rule of Congress-led UPA Government at the Cen- tre, the Union Government had the policy of "Look East" whereas the BJP-led NDA Government had changed that "merely-look- ing attitude" to "Act East" policy.

Moroever the Prime Minister has stipulated that Union Ministers should visit at least two NE States every month.

"Most of the NE States are hard put for resources and therefore the people of the individual States would benefit most if the State Governments were aligned with the NDA at the Centre to ensure maximum assist- ance from the friendly Government," the Chief Minister said and appealed to the people to elect the BJP candidate Dr Momin.

"Dr Numal Momin is a young, energetic leader and has all the qualities to strive for the uplift of the poor and the downtrodden," the Chief Minister said and added "And if you elect him I am confident that he can work together with the Prime Minister who has on more than one occasion, selected young lead- ers like your Chief Ministerial candidate Sonowal who is presently a Union Minister.

"Even though we are from different States, Nagas and the people of Bokajan and Diphu share the same airport, railway station and shopping facilities at Dimapur.

We have been living together as a family since ancient times and we shall continue to do so," he said, drawing loud cheers from the thousands gathered at the rally this morning.

Referring to the boundary dispute between the States of Assam and Nagaland, the Chief Minister said that though the Nagaland Govern- ment had written to the Ministry of Home Affairs stating that it would prefer the issue to be resolved amicably through people to people con- tact, his Congress counterpart in Assam had insisted on the arbitration of the Court, and the matter continues to linger till date much to the incon- venience of the people of both States.

"If the BJP comes to power in Assam, I am confi- dent that the Government will agree to resolve all pending disputes peacefully and ami- cably through people to people contacts and peace committees so that Nagas and the people of Assam can con- tinue to live together peacefully and harmoniously for generations to come," he said.

"The NPF has been an ally of the NDA since 2003, and we continue to be an ally of the BJP till today because we expect great things from the visionary and dynamic Prime Minister Modi.

The Nation has finally found a leader who is determined to perform rather than just talk, and who can lead the country and not be told by someone else what to do.

So, on April 4, when you push the button on the EVM for BJP candidate, you will be casting your vote in favour of the Prime Minister and also in favour of our Union Minister Smriti Irani who has taken pains to be with us today," he said, much to the delight of the crowd.

Earlier, speaking at the rally, Nagaland Home Minis- ter Y Patton said, "In Nagaland we have done away with the Congress party and in the next general elections (2018) the Congress will find it very hard to send a single member to the Assembly.

"Nagaland has rejected the Congress party because we have found that it is not rel- evant today.

You have had a Rajya Sabha MP who was the Prime Minister for ten long years.

But what has he done for your State ? How many times did he even visit the State when he was the Prime Minister ?" Patton asked.

"If there is anyone amongst you this morning who has any slight inclination towards the Congress, change your mind this instant and decide to vote overwhelm- ingly for the BJP candidate Dr Momin." The rally was attended by a host of Parliamentary Sec- retaries from Nagaland, NPF party functionaries and also a host of BJP leaders led by Nagaland BJP Unit President Visasolie Lhoungu .

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