Kiren Rijiju to campaign in Longwa

February 17, 2023 29 Views No Comment

BJP challenges Congress to debate

Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 17

The BJP is scheduled to bring a string of the party’s top leaders to campaign for its candidates contesting in the elections to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly. The BJP State Media Cell told a press conference in Dimapur on February 16 that Union Minister of Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju and Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and AYUSH Sarabananda Sonowal will be campaigning in Nagaland on February 17.

Convenor, BJP State Media Cell, Saprula informed that Rijiju will be in the 44 Phomching Assembly Constituency (AC), where he will address a rally at Longwa village in support of the BJP candidate Konngam Konyak. He will also visit the 41 Tizit AC, where P Paiwang Konyak is in the fray. The same day, Sarabananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and AYUSH, alongwith Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton will be in Wokha town followed by a rally in Mon town. On February 18, National General Secretary (Organisation) BL Santosh will be campaigning in Tuensang, Mokokchung, Zunheboto and Dimapur.

On February 16, National Spokesperson and incharge of Nagaland Nalin Kohli and the Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, John Barla campaigned in 52 Longkhim-Chare AC for BJP candidate Sethrongkyu Sangtam and in 30 Alongtaki AC for Temjen Imna Along Longkumer. General Secretary (Organisation) and in charge of Manipur and Nagaland, Abhay Giri and State Vice President Hurui Zeliang campaigned in Tuensang.

Kashito Kiba, State Spokesperson highlighted the welfare schemes of the ruling BJP government. “We have so many schemes which we are implementing and will be implementing in the coming days,” he said while making mention of some of the flagship Central government programmes already in progress like the Prime Minister Awaz Yojna, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme, PM Matru Vandana Yojana and so on. Over and above, he said that the BJP government has implemented 15 National Highway projects, with a cumulative length of about 266km and worth Rs 4127cr in Nagaland. Nagaland has also seen the state’s second railway station in Shokhuvi, he added.

Hosheto Awomi, State Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) President, alongwith Sapralu also highlighted some of the BJP’s development promises as stated in the BJP manifesto. On the employment and skill development front, Awomi informed that the BJP has envisaged opening avenues for providing 2 lakhs self-employment opportunities in the next 5 years through the establishment of Software Technology Parks, Agro Processing, Textiles, MSMEs, Tourism, etc.

Establishing Digital India Startup Hub in each district, Nagaland Entrepreneurship Development Authority for training and promoting entrepreneurship in every district, besides the pledge to invest Rs 500 cr to launch he Nagaland Skill Development University were some of the major promises he pointed out. On the sports front, he said that the party has pledged to invest Rs 100cr in sports infrastructure to promote indigenous sports and organising statewide competitions.

Introducing the Dr T Ao Sports Scholarship of upto Rs 5 lakh for aspiring sportspersons from the state, fast-tracking the construction of multipurpose sports stadiums in 7 districts and investing Rs 111 cr to set up mini stadiums with gyms in all the blocks of the state and Rs 50cr for providing state of the art sports facilities across all government schools and colleges were some of the party’s promises he highlighted.

Reacting to the All India Congress Committee, Media Coordinator Mahima Singh’s recent comment at a press conference in Kohima, in which she branded the BJP manifesto as devoid of reality, Sapralu challenged the Congress to a debate. According to her, in the 15 years of Congress rule in Nagaland, there has not been any visible development.

“After the BJP came to power within a short span of time, we have seen massive development. Now, the Congress is pointing fingers at us and called our manifesto as devoid of any truth, I challenge the congress to bring up their manifesto for a debate with us,” she said.