NEW DELHI: As a result of several development initiatives and a sharp political acumen, along with the ability to resonate with popular sentiments on ground, the Bharatiya Janata Party holds considerable sway in the Northeast today.
In Assembly elections held recently in three of the seven sister-states in the region, the party has returned to power, forming governments either by itself or through alliances with regional parties.
Apart from retaining power in Tripura, the BJP emerged in Nagaland as an indispensable ally with 12 seats, where it is part of a ruling coalition.
In Meghalaya, the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), after falling short of forming a government, had to reach out for BJP’s support to retain power in the state. NPP supremo and Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had to form a coalition government this time despite some friction with the BJP before the polls.
Till 2014, though the BJP did manage to make some inroads, it remained a mere marginal force in the Northeast. Today, apart from being part of a coalition government in Meghalaya, it is firmly in the saddle in Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur, and is a key player in Nagaland.
For several years, the Northeast region did not witness any significant initiatives in infrastructure development. Surface connectivity for people and goods was wanting and separatist and insurgent groups controlled most parts. What the region always needed was a strong will, a caring hand, and a sharing heart. The BJP is committed to provide just that!
