Congress used Northeast as its own ATM: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday addressed rallies in poll-bound states Meghalaya and Nagaland. While speaking at the rallies, PM Modi said that the interest of Meghalaya was never given priority. The lotus flower has become a symbol of peace, strength and stability, he added.

"Lack of road, rail, and air connectivity had in the past obstructed development in Meghalaya. During the last nine years, however, the BJP government at the Centre has brought about positive changes in the state and the northeastern region. Be it youth, women, traders, or government servants, everyone wants the BJP to be in power in Meghalaya," he asserted.

The PM stressed that Meghalaya needs to free from dynastic politics.

"Not only in Delhi but also in Meghalaya, family-run parties had converted the state into an ATM to fill their coffers. People have rejected them. Meghalaya now wants a government that puts people first and not family," he underlined.

The PM took part in the road show held in Shillong. He promised more development work and welfare projects in Meghalaya.

Some people who have been rejected by the country are immersed in sadness and are now saying 'Modi teri kabar khudegi' but the people of the country are saying 'Modi tera kamal khilega', he said.

Modi in Nagaland

While addressing an election rally in Dimapur, he said the NDA is striving to bring permanent peace in Nagaland so that Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 is completely lifted from the state.

"The country can't be run by distrusting your own people but by respecting and solving their problems. Earlier, Northeast had politics of divide, but we have now transformed it into divine governance. The BJP does not discriminate people on the basis of religion or region and religion," Modi said.

“Congress remote-controlled Northeast from Delhi and siphoned off money meant for its development, while giving primacy to “dynasty politics, from Delhi to Dimapur,” said Modi.

"The Congress and its partners' policy for Northeast has been to 'get vote and forget'. Congress leaders from Delhi turned a blind eye to the problems of Nagaland. Ten years ago, nobody would have dreamt that circumstances can change in the region," he said.

Modi also claimed the BJP has put a big dent in corruption by employing technology, as a result of which money sent from Delhi is directly credited to beneficiaries' bank accounts.

The PM asserted that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has adopted three mantras for running Nagaland -- peace, progress and prosperity.

"The focus of every central government scheme has been women, tribals and the poor. The BJP also gave Nagaland its first woman Rajya Sabha MP," he said.

Noting that there has been a 75 per cent reduction in incidents of violence in Nagaland, he asserted that many youths have returned to the mainstream.

"We have worked for infrastructural development of Northeast. The change is evident. We will support the youth in sectors ranging from tourism to technology, and sports to start-ups," he added.

(With PTI inputs)