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Nirmala Sitharaman speaking during an election rally at Chumukedima.[/caption]
Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Feb. 16: Union Minister of Defence Nirmala Sitharaman on Fri. said that political parties indulging in spreading fear about the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were doing so because they are unable to 'deliver' good governance.
The parties creating fear were using the people as “vote banks” apart from speaking in the name of religion, she said. The minister was addressing an election rally in Chumukedima in Dimapur for BJP candidate Jacob Zhimomi from Ghaspani-I assembly constituency (AC).
This, Sitharaman claimed, was not so for the BJP. "BJP follows an inclusive policy for a cohesive nation with equal respect to all religions. We are committed to unite the society and take the state forward," the minister said.
The BJP’s priority, she asserted, was 'all-round development based on the principle of "Sabh ka Saath, Sabh ka Vikas."' The country should develop 'through Nagaland,' according to h
er. "Those people who cannot deliver good governance are the ones spreading fears (among the people) about the BJP."
The BJP-led central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is giving 'much attention' to the construction of the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway via Nagaland which will open access to South East Asia, she said.
According to her, investment should be made in Nagaland because, “Whatever work is done in the state—be it handloom or handicrafts—it has a perfect and beautiful finish.” She concluded by saying that issues concerning the people of Nagaland would be the 'top priority' of the BJP government.
Also, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said that to cater to the 65, 000 voters of Ghaspani-I AC, the candidate should to be from a 'big party.' Saying that the BJP supported an early and lasting settlement to the Naga political issue, Rijiju said that the party wants to form the government in the state and 'shape the future' of the Naga people. He added: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Tuensang district on Feb. 22 for campaigning.
The candiate, Jacob Zhimomi also addressed the gathering. He said to have joined the BJP because he felt it was the “only party that can bring development in the state and deliver justice to the people.”
Zhimomi commented on the 'lack of development in Nagaland' too. He said that the state needs roads, infrastructure, better telecom connectivity, and medical facilities for which the “visions of the party fulfils the need of the state as BJP works for grassroots development.” (With inputs from PTI)
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