"Congress' policy was to isolate Northeast...": BJP chief JP Nadda
Apr 18, 2024
Kokrajhar (Assam) [India], April 18 : Bharatiya Janata Party president JP Nadda on Thursday said that Congress had a policy to isolate the Northeast part of the country adding that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who connected the Northeast to the remaining part of India.
Addressing an election rally in Assam's Kokrajhar, JP Nadda said, "It is a great relief that over 70 per cent of the northeast region is now AFSPA-free! Congress' policy was to isolate the Northeast. Modi ji connected the Northeast to mainland India with his development initiatives. PM Modi ji and Amit Shah ji brought peace and harmony to the region."
He further mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi alone has taken more visits to Northeast states than previous Prime Ministers combined.
"All PMs together have not taken 70 visits as much as PM Modi...In the last 10 years, Union Ministers made visits to the Northeast 680 times. PM Modi called Northeast 'Ashta Lakshmi', what are those 'Ashta Aadhar? first, peace....second...hydropower generation, third, tourism; fourth, 5G connectivity, fifth, culture; sixth, natural farming...seventh, sports and eighth was to nourish the potential" he said.
As the first phase of Lok Sabha elections will be held on April 19, the Election Commission is geared up to ensure a free and fair election.
The Chief Electoral Officer of Assam, Anurag Goel said that all the vehicles carrying EVMs will be equipped with GPS tracking devices and satellite phones will be made available in far-flung areas.
"We have arranged GPS tracking of all the vehicles that will be carrying EVMs and this will be monitored by the District Election Officer, CEO, and Election Commission. We have also provided satellite phones in very hard-to-reach areas," said Anurag Goel.
The Chief Electoral Officer, Assam also showed confidence in conducting a free and fair election as observers have been put in all the constituencies. Five constituencies Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Kaziranga and Sonitpur will undergo polls on April 19.
