New Delhi: If potentials are tapped well, and people are motivated and guided well to follow the path of peace and development, Nagaland can easily emerge as a ‘model state’, said BJP national vice president and party’s in-charge of Meghalaya, M Chuba Ao.
“In fact, if proper planning is done and everyone works hard, with a mere 20 lakh population, Nagaland can emerge as a Model State under BJP,” said Chuba.
The theme of ‘Atmanirbhar India’ has become more relevant in the context of 75 years of India’s independence and Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav the country is celebrating, he said while speaking to the organiser.
“During the country’s independence and after, the scenario in agricultural production and industrial production were different. Then came the service sector. Then also came people’s dependence on
government jobs, especially in the northeast and Nagaland. This must change. Here lies the relevance of Atmanirbhar Bharat,” he added.
Answering questions, Chuba said, ” I am in BJP and have been associated with it for many years. I got into BJP when nobody used to come to us in Nagaland. According to me, today, the BJP should think big and highlight major initiatives like Atmanirbhar India as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modiji. This is for self-reliance both at the national and state level.”
To another question, he said, “Therefore, I am advocating that the BJP in Nagaland should prepare a 25-year Vision Document. We have so many good ideas, and those should be highlighted. Our state unit president Temjen Imna Along, who is also a state Minister, and women wing chief Pangnon Konyak, who is now a Rajya Sabha member; all should work in a unity of purpose.”
To a question, he said, “Acceptance of the BJP amongst all sections of people, including tribals and Christians, has increased manifold. Once, we were branded as anti-Christians. Today people understand that this was only created by our political rivals to keep us away from power. As party vice president, I work in Meghalaya and travel into several parts of India. People have accepted BJP for its development agenda and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
On recent developments of 21 NPF MLAs in Nagaland willing to defect to the NDPP, he said these should be taken as ‘natural political developments’.
However, he maintained that BJP should think big and stay away from seat-sharing in the 2023 polls.
“Personally, I don’t want seat sharing. You can say we want to contest all 60 seats. Why not? In 2018, we had gone for seat sharing with NDPP, but in 2023 we should have a different approach,” Chuba said.
“Look, when we declare seat sharing, many good candidates will not come to us. In fact, if you ask me, in politics, there is no harm in contesting against each other even if you have an alliance with one party or the other,” he said.
He said, “Now many aspirants are there to contest elections on NDPP tickets, but everyone will not get tickets, and some may come to us. Even BJP people, when denied tickets, can go the other way. This is a natural phenomenon.”
“My point is BJP in Nagaland, like elsewhere, should not confine itself to small areas and mere politicking. It should come out, think big and act big. The message should be loud and clear that the BJP is really committed to the development and changing people’s lives,” he added.
