Dimapur, Feb. 21 (EMN): The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Wed. in his bid to allay fears created against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stated that religion was above everything and that 'all are children of God and all are equal.'
“Religion is above everything. Christianity is serving the humanity...all are children of God and all are equal," Rijiju said, addressing an election rally for BJP candidate of 30th Alongtaki assembly constituency Temjen Imna Along, at Longto in Mokokchung district, the media cell of the BJP informed.
He stated that religion should never surface during elections and that religion and politics should never be mixed. On the other hand, he said, politics is a daily democratic affair and in a democracy, elections are held every five years for which even if one supports a political party they should not condemn another.
Further, Rijiju said that in the past, the Alongtaki A/C people had elected a BJP leader to represent them and appealed to the people from the constituency to elect a BJP candidate again if they want 'acceleration of development' in their constituency.
The statement also stated that earlier on Feb. 20 the Union minister while addressing a rally in Tizit in Mon district claimed that the 'BJP is growing everyday in the state, some people are spreading false rumours and trying to create confusion.'
“Mixing religion with politics is a sin. Who are these people misguiding the people?" Rijiju asked. He said that 'every day the BJP is becoming more popular and in the past four years of BJP rule in the country, there has not been a single case of corruption against the BJP ministers or leaders.'
During the past 60 years of Congress rule, Rijiju said that the Congress had 'not brought any significant development in the country and therefore had nothing to boast of its achievements but only criticize the BJP.'
On alliance with NDPP
The Union minister also said the when the elections were announced for the state of Nagaland, every political party including the NPF and NDPP wanted an alliance with the BJP. He said that if the BJP was 'really hungry for power, it would have contested all 60 seats on its own.' However, the BJP decided to have an alliance with a regional party—the NDPP—taking into consideration the future and aspirations of the Naga people.
The BJP's leadership finally met in Delhi and took a decision that Nagaland being a “sensitive state” and its problem “unique” and with the ongoing political negotiations, there was felt a need for a regional political party led by a tall and senior leader. The minister said that for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state on Feb. 22, Tuensang was chosen because the eastern Nagas were facing the most hardships, the released informed.
"He (Rijiju) said Modi himself would announce what he can offer to the Eastern Naga people," the statement added.
