Our Correspondent
Kohima, May 31 (EMN): BJP secretary (organisation) Nagaland in-charge, Ananta Narayan Mishra alleged that the ‘world’s most unlimited corruption’ is happening in Nagaland, and assured to put an end to the existing rampant corruption if BJP is voted into power in the forthcoming state assembly elections.
Addressing party workers at the BJP Kohima unit office in the state capital today, Mishra said corrupt practices in the state has gone to the extent that even before a job vacancy arises, the position is already bought and filled. “I am made to understand that jobs are for sale here…. Jobs are sold here,” he said
“People might say there is 100% corruption in Nagaland but if I’m asked, I would say there is 200% corruption happening here,” he asserted. Citing an example, he said if Rs 100 crore was sanctioned for a particular development work, a contractor would finish up the entire amount before doing anything, and on the ruse of employing a number of people for the work, another Rs 100 crore would be eaten up. “This qualifies to 200% corruption,” he stated.Mishra that that he would organise the state BJP party structure in such a way that it would emerge to form the government in the coming elections.
Mishra also reminded the party workers how the four-lane road between Dimapur and Kohima was proposed during then prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s visit, however, the Congress came to power since then and not a single stone was turned in that direction for ten years. He stated that the Congress party had totally ignored Nagaland and no development work was implemented in the state. It was only after the BJP-led NDA government came to power, the four-lane road work started in full swing within a year of the Union minister in charge’s visit to the state.
He also assured that if BJP was voted to power, it would ensure that rail link is provided to all the major district headquarters of Nagaland, citing the potential of rail line from Mariani to Mon and Mokokchung. While expressing sadness that a huge number of patients from Nagaland travel outside the state to avail treatment, Mishra said it was not impossible to bring a branch of the nationally acclaimed AIIMS to the state as the same was already being set up in the neighbouring state of Assam.
He also assured of a boost in tourism industry by enhancing the state’s annual Hornbill Festival. He said there is so much potential in Nagaland to gain from tourism well as from ayurvedic medicines.
Admitting that Nagaland has a long way to go, yet, he said, a ‘developed Nagaland’ is not far if the BJP comes to power. He also confirmed that the party would contest from all the 60 constituencies of the state if the Centre gives the nod.
BJP not a religious party: Lhoungu
State BJP president Visasolie Lhoungu has asserted that BJP is not a religious party nor is it against any religion. He maintained that other political parties target BJP on religious issue as they could not criticize the party on corruption or development charges. He elaborated that BJP is currently in power in 16 states across India, and there had been no corruption or scandal case in these states during the last three years. Also, he claimed that all developmental programmes were being successfully implemented in the states where BJP is in power, that is why opposition parties could not blame the BJP on corruption or scam case and the only issue they could target is on religion.
“On the issue of religion, nowhere in India or nowhere in Nagaland, nobody has been victimised or punished. So far there is no instance, that is why this is also a non-issue in Nagaland,” he stated. Towards this, he asked the people not to be led away by such “false allegations”, “false propagandas” and “talks in the market”, and also asked the party functionaries to be clear in that BJP is for development, for change for the better and for the uplift of the poor.
Asserting that the BJP aims at establishing a democratic state which guarantees to all citizens political, social and economic justice, equality of opportunity and liberty of faith and expression, Lhoungu told party workers to be “very aware” of this main objective of the party, stating all the activities and programmes and policies revolve around this aim. He said the aspirations and hopes of the people guide the priorities of the BJP.
Rubbishing the general apprehension that BJP coming to power would affect the people’s religions, he pointed out that the simple fact is even if BJP comes to power, no one from outside Nagaland will come as MLA or minister in our state. He said the constitution of India, in Article 371 (A), has given a special legislative power to the Nagaland Assembly ‘which can even supersede the law or central rules’ and this is why, Nagaland is ‘well protected and safe’.
He also exuded confidence that BJP will come to power in Nagaland by 2018. Without mentioning the Naga People’s Front (NPF) with which the BJP is currently in alliance in the DAN government, Lhoungu claimed BJP to be the ‘only alternative political party’ in Nagaland for the forthcoming general elections to form the next government in the state.
He said the centre is also fully prepared, planned and ready because Nagaland is its ‘next target’ for the general elections in the northeast.
He maintained that the BJP has become a major party in the state that is why a lot of criticism and false rumours about the party were being spread. He asked party workers not to be swayed as this only means that the party position has improved.
Stating that lots of people were enthusiastic in joining the party and many intending candidates were coming up to fight in the next elections, he told party workers to identify potential candidates and that the party should not have ‘small time players all the time’.
He further asked them to put the organisational machineries in place and if they convinced the national leaders then their ‘problems will be solved’.
BJP national president, Amit Shah will be visiting Nagaland on August 27 and hold a public rally at Kohima. This was informed by BJP secretary (organisation) Nagaland, Ananta Narayan Mishra while addressing the party’s Kohima district unit executive meeting today at the unit office. The official said Shah will be addressing a public rally and also meet the party functionaries from all the districts. Towards this, he asked all the party functionaries to ensure that the organisational set up ranging to the grassroots levels is in place before the national BJP president arrives.
