Former Arunachal Pradesh home minister Takar Marde on Sunday has claimed people of his state were scared of Chinese during UPA rule, a phenomenon which has changed during the present regime. A former Congress leader Marde who recently decided to join BJP was talking to media in Guwahati.
He said, “During UPA government, there was no visible international or foreign policy with China. So, people of the state always used to be scared of China. Under the present regime, we are 101 per cent secured and safe. We have now fully started to enjoy the fruits of development as a whole.”
Regarding his decision to join BJP, he said, “I have decided to be a part of BJP to strengthen the hands of young Chief Minister Pema Khandu. He dreams of building model village, which once constructed will help people. They will not have to migrate from border areas to bigger towns. During UPA govt, no attention was paid regarding developing the infrastructure. Rather, AICC tried to create division between the state leaders. Congress is itself to blame for losing power in Arunachal Pradesh. Being fed up with the functioning of the party, I have decided to give up the active membership and primary membership of Congress.”
“The BJP rule has been satisfactory so far. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) scheme was initiated during Vajpayee government and it is being continued by Modi government. Hopefully, it will be continued. On the contrary, UPA government was not very serious about infrastructure development in the state. The railway network in Arunachal is wonderful. The train connectivity between Guwahati to Tawang, Lakhimpur to Ziro, Pasighat to Tirap, Changlang and all the districts, has been taken up by BJP govt. Because of these steps, I became interested in joining the BJP. State BJP President Tapir Gao is also a dynamic leader and I want to work for the development of my state from this party” he added.