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Agartala (Tripura): Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that North East plays a major role in making India a developed country and also emphasised that Congress did "injustice" with the northeast region while Communists "destroyed" the people of Tripura unlike his government which gives "priority" to the region.
Addressing a public rally in the state capital on Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi said, "North East 'mere liye politics ka nahi, prem aur prathmikta ka vishay hai."
Accusing the Congress and Communists for ruining the Northeast region,the PM said, "North East plays a major role in making India 'Viksit'.
After years of Independence and during the rule of Congress justice was not done with the capabilities of the states in North East. Communists ruled in Tripura and they just destroyed the people of Tripura. But, today in Delhi there is a government that continuously thinks about North East and Tripura. North East 'mere liye politics ka nahi, prem aur prathmikta ka vishay hai."
The Prime Minister stated that previously, political parties in the state only recalled the North East when they needed votes, adding that during Congress' rule,"there was just one policy for the North East --- the loot east policy".
Listing out the benefits being provided to people due to technology, he said, "Today your mobile bill under the Modi government is Rs 400-Rs 500, but if there had been a Congress government in Delhi, your mobile bill would not have been less than Rs 4000 or Rs 5000...Earlier, political parties only remembered the North East when they needed your votes. During Congress' rule, only one policy was for the North East --- loot east policy."
Prime Minister Modi also claimed that corruption was at the peak when CPM and Congress were the major parties in Tripura. He said that the leftist parties made Tripura a hub for corruption and that they may look like rivals but both parties shared the same ideology.
"When CPM and Congress were the major parties in Tripura, corruption was prospering.The Leftist parties made Tripura a hub for corruption. On the surface, the Leftists and Congress might look like rivals. But behind the curtains, they share the same ideology," said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister also mentioned the 'Surya Tilak' ritual of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami and said that after a long wait of 500 years, Lord Shri Ram Lalla is finally seated in a grand temple instead of a tent.
In his address, PM Modi said, "Today is the auspicious occasion of Maha Navami. I recently visited the land of Maa Kamakhya and now I bow down to Mata Tripura Sundari. After a long wait of 500 years, our Ram Lalla is finally 'virajman' seated in a grand temple instead of a tent."
"It is our privilege to be here in the Northeast, where the Sun's rays first touch the earth. The rays of Sun symbolize the bright future of India. Viksit Tripura is moving forward with the commitment of Viksit Bharat," he said.
The Prime Minister further said that the BJP is working towards the 'HIRA' (Highway, Internet, Railway, and Airway) developmental model for the North East which will act as bridge of a larger connectivity vision for connecting North-eastern states.
The project is a part of the Indian government Act East policy, aimed at boosting trade with the East and Southeast Asian countries and in line with the 'HIRA' developmental model for the North East.
The bridge is a part of a larger connectivity vision of connecting North-eastern states within and with the neighbouring countries through land, water, air, and the internet.
"Now, we are going to work on the HIRA+ Model.The Congress govt neglected the development of the Northeast. Their policy was 'Loot East'.10 years ago, I put an end to the Loot East Policy of the Congress and the Leftists.Now, the we are working on the 'Act East' policy," said PM Modi.
"BJP has worked on the HIRA Model.Construction of 4-lane highway in Tripura is underway," he added.
He also said that the party has decided to expand the benefits of Ayushman Bharat Yojana to senior citizens, adding that the state of Tripura, which once lacked internet services, now has 5G internet all across the state.
"We have decided to expand the benefits of Ayushman Bharat Yojana to senior citizens. For the development of Tripura. Once, Tripura lacked internet connectivity. However, now 5G internet is available all over Tripura," said the PM.
Furthermore, PM Modi elaborated on the BJP's initiative to build new infrastructure, improve connectivity, and provide free gas connections, all of which will significantly assist the state.
"BJP has decided to construct 3 crore new houses in India. The people of Tripura are going to benefit a great deal from our initiative. We are also focusing to enhance connectivity in the Northeast. Our government has provided free gas connections to over 3 lakh women," he said.
"We have also initiated the Eklavya Model Schools for educating the children from tribal communities," said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister appealed to the citizens of Tripura to vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and said that every vote given to BJP-NDA will strengthen Modi ki Guarantee!
"In the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, make sure that you vote for the development of Tripura.I urge you to vote for our candidates on April 19 and April 26. Every vote given to BJP-NDA will strengthen Modi ki Guarantee!" said the Prime Minister.
In its election manifesto - 'Sankalp Patra', the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has vowed to maintain peace in the Northeast, among other key poll promises.
The party released its "Sankalp Patra" on Sunday last week (April 14) at its headquarters in New Delhi in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The party also said that it will continue its effective efforts to establish peace in the North-East and phase out the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.
"We will continue our efforts to address the issues in the disturbed areas and remove AFSPA in a phased manner. We will further work towards the resolution of inter-state border disputes amongst Northeastern states through sustained efforts," the party said in its manifesto.
The party further said that it will work to leverage the Northeast as a strategic gateway for Bharat's Act East Policy, ensuring connectivity, education, health, economic development and security.
BJP also promised to build 'sarovars' to manage floods in the Northeast.
There are two parliamentary seats in Tripura. The West Tripura parliamentary constituency will go to the polls on April 19 and polling for East Tripura is slated on April 26.
