Modi to kick-start BJP’s poll campaign in NE today
GUWAHATI : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will head to the northeast on Saturday to launch the Bharatiya Janata Party’s election campaign in Meghalaya and Mizoram after polling got over in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.
The assembly polls are scheduled in both the northeastern states and also in Nagaland and Tripura early next year.
Modi will arrive at the Lengpui airport early on Saturday for his first visit to Mizoram since assuming office in 2014.
He is scheduled to inaugurate the 60MW Tuirial hydro-electric project before heading to the Assam Rifles ground to address a public meeting.
“Though no meeting with party workers is scheduled, we are very happy with the visit. It will definitely boost the party ahead of the next election,” Mizoram BJP unit chief JV Hluna told the Hindustan Times.
From Aizawl, Modi will head to Shillong where he will open the new BJP Meghalaya unit office and later address a public rally at Polo Ground - kick-starting the party’s campaign for the coming assembly polls.
The visit is aimed at boosting the saffron party’s goal of overthrowing the Mukul Sangmaled Congress government.
“Modiji will visit Shillong for a day’s visit. Everyone in the state unit is very excited about it and it will boost our poll preparations,” Meghalaya BJP unit president Shibun Lyngdoh told Hindustan Times.
The Prime Minister’s trip comes after several proposed visits to the state by BJP president Amit Shah were postponed earlier this year due to his engagements in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.
The BJP is already in power in Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh and is aiming to add the poll-bound states to its kitty.
The saffron party’s aim to make its mark in Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland, all Christian majority states, had received a setback earlier this year following opposition to Centre’s move to ban the sale of cattle in animal markets for slaughter.