Kiren Rijiju explains BJP's success in Northeast India
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Union Minister for Law Kiren Rijiju (Image from IANS)
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju shed light on the reasons behind the BJP's continued electoral success in the northeastern region of India.
Rijiju, who serves as the Earth Sciences Minister and represents Arunachal Pradesh in Parliament, highlighted several key factors contributing to the BJP's dominance during an exclusive interview with NDTV.
He emphasized the transformative impact of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership on the region. He pointed out that the northeast, characterized by its challenging geography and topography, has seen unprecedented development under Modi's administration. This includes the establishment of airports, railway lines, and road connections to remote villages, which were previously deemed impossible tasks.
The tangible improvements in infrastructure and connectivity have resonated with the people of the northeast, according to Rijiju. He mentioned that the BJP's significant victories, including securing 46 out of 60 seats in the Arunachal Pradesh assembly, reflect the population's appreciation for the real development they have witnessed.
Rijiju also highlighted a shift in sentiment among the northeastern populace, who now feel that their voices are being heard. He argued that this sense of inclusion and attention has played a crucial role in the BJP's electoral successes in the region.
In contrast, Rijiju was critical of the Congress party, asserting that they had neglected the northeast during their long tenure in power. He dismissed the notion that the region votes in favor of the party at the center, citing the BJP's ascendancy in northeastern states even before consolidating power at the national level. "The Congress chapter is closed. They did nothing for 60 years," Rijiju asserted. He added, "The BJP never had a government in the Centre as long as the Congress had. So it is wrong to say the northeast goes with the government in the Centre."
Rijiju's comments come as exit polls predict a resounding victory for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Multiple exit polls forecast a dominant performance for the NDA, with predictions ranging from 353 to 401 seats. The BJP is also expected to perform strongly in states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, and West Bengal.