The BJP which is fighting to oust the ruling Congress in Meghalaya has claimed of respecting the identities of various people in different parts of the Northeast, and that the party has been raising the question of demographic change of states like Assam and other states in the region.
This was stated by BJP national spokesperson and in-charge Meghalaya, Nalin S Kohli while addressing reporters along with former union minister and BJP leader, Rajiv Pratap Rudy at the BJP office here on Monday.
Kohli however did not give a direct reply on the demand to implement Inner Line Permit in Meghalaya similar to the demand made in Manipur, the state being ruled by the BJP.
“The BJP respects and has always been concerned about the identities of various people in different parts of the Northeast. Whatever needs to be done to protect the identity of these tribes and other communities living in the Northeast has always been raised,” Kohli said, while replying to a query whether the BJP would support the demand to implement ILP in Meghalaya to check influx of people from outside as well as foreigners.
According to Kohli, the BJP has been a party that raised the issue of demographic change of states like Assam and other states by illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.
“We are always sensitive to that (influx), and what needs to be done by the government. It is the agenda of the government so we are working with a positive agenda,” Kohli said.
On opposition against introduction of railway line in Khasi-Jaiñtia Hills in the absence of strong mechanisms to tackle influx problem, Rudy said he would not be the right person to answer this question.
“There could be many more contentious issues and the BJP once it forms the government, it will take everyone on board and take consensus to find an outright solution. I will not constrain to say that Meghalaya will see the best infrastructure of the world once the BJP government is formed,” Rudy said.
Talking about change that the people of Meghalaya need, Rudy said, “We have social as well as political commitments and I am sure the leadership of the BJP has the credence to carry along whoever wants to come for a change in the state.
Though the BJP is fielding candidates only from 47 out of 60 Assembly seats, Rudy however exuded confidence that the BJP will get majority without any question.
“We will have a majority and there is no question about it. There are issues in every elections, and every political parties face such issues. But the people of the state decide who will form the government,” Rudy said, adding that the talk that Meghalaya will witness fractured mandate was just speculations.
“We do not believe in fractured mandate as we will have a majority. Do not get surprised by my confidence. I have been handling elections for last 30 years and we are confident of forming the BJP government in Meghalaya,” Rudy claimed.
He said the BJP has marched ahead in forming government from nine states in 2009 to 19 states now on its own and with the coalition partners.
“We are going to add three more, first from Meghalaya, Tripura, and Karnataka, and the fourth is Nagaland,” Rudy said.
Rudy also accused the Congress of having communal mindset and tried to move away from development agenda.
“The Congress has been decimated in this country mainly because they don’t have a vote bank. They created a vote bank by splitting society and they want to play that trick in Meghalaya too. But the people will surpass it, and I think all the boundary of such statements will be surpassed in this election,” Rudy said.
Meanwhile Kohli said the formation of the BJP-led Northeast Democratic Alliance was not for political but to address common issues concerning the Northeast.
“Since the Prime Minister is also focusing on Act East, I am sure NEDA is addressing various issues of the region,” Kohli said.