GUWAHATI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a video message to the people of Mizoram, reiterated the BJP-led NDA government’s commitment to fulfilling the aspirations of the Northeast.
On the last day of the campaign ahead of the state’s upcoming elections tomorrow, the Prime Minister stressed on the tireless efforts his government at the Centre made to bridge the physical and psychological gap between the Northeast and the rest of India in the past 9 years.
“Before 2014, people perceived the Northeastern states, such as Mizoram, as distant from Delhi both physically and psychologically. The BJP recognised this sense of distance and, after coming into power as part of the NDA government in 2014, made it a priority to bridge this gap by addressing the aspirations and needs of the Northeastern states,” he said, in the video message.
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Prime Minister Modi further highlighted the significant progress in infrastructure development, including railways, healthcare, and sports, as a result of the government’s dedicated work.
He mentioned that he had visited the Northeast 60 times in the last nine years, underscoring the substantial development and connectivity works.
The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to integrating the Northeast into the national mainstream, bringing “New Delhi to the doorsteps of the region”.
Lauding the revolutionary changes that have occurred across sectors in the region, he highlighted the substantial increase in the total length of National Highways in the Northeast, which has grown from 11,000 km to 16,000 km in 2022-23.
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Modi also stressed the Northeast’s significant role in India’s sports journey and committed to enhancing sports infrastructure in the region, including Mizoram.
Earlier on October 29, the Prime Minister had called off his slated campaign trip to Mamit, Mizoram, which was scheduled for October 30.
While the precise cause for the cancellation was undisclosed, Johny Lalthanpuia, the state BJP media convener, had informed about the shift in plans but chose to maintain the air of mystery by not revealing the exact reason behind the Prime Minister’s decision.