BJP manifesto promises package for eastern Nagaland, preservation of Naga culture

The BJP has released its manifesto for the upcoming Nagaland Assembly elections, promising a special package for the eastern part of the state and the establishment of a board for the holistic development of the region, if the party returns to power for the second time in a row.

The BJP and its ally NDPP are contesting the February 27 Assembly elections with a 20:40 seat-sharing arrangement.

In its manifesto released by party president JP Nadda on Tuesday (February 14), the saffron party also announced a slew of measures for creating infrastructure, economic advancement, and boosting healthcare and agriculture, besides skill development.

Released the BJP's manifesto for Nagaland Assembly Election 2023. This Sankalp Patra of the BJP, encompasses a robust roadmap for the state's all-round holistic development & outlines the means to achieve continued progress, prosperity and peace in Nagaland. pic.twitter.com/oi2DzAfgZX

— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) February 14, 2023

“We will work with the central government to expedite the construction of the Trans-Nagaland Highway to enable easy access across districts, especially from eastern Nagaland,” it stated.

Eastern Nagaland was in the news recently, as there was a vote boycott call by an organisation spearheading an agitation demanding a separate state, comprising six districts of the area. However, the call was later withdrawn.

₹1,000-crore Nagaland cultural research fund to be set up

The BJP manifesto also promised to establish a dedicated Nagaland cultural research fund with an investment of ₹1,000 crore to preserve the Naga identity, set up a cultural university, and invest ₹100 crore to promote and expand the scope of all major tribal festivals.

The party also assured people of providing free rice and wheat monthly, 5 kg of black chickpeas, and one litre of mustard oil per family quarterly at subsidised rates to all PDS beneficiaries, for the general welfare.

The manifesto promised to increase the existing pension to ₹1,000 per month for senior citizens, specially-abled, and widows, and also provide health insurance cards for cashless medical facilities for all government employees.

Also read: Ahead of polls, discontent over seat-sharing simmers in Nagaland BJP

The BJP also announced that it would provide free health insurance and social security insurance to all unorganised workers and, in conjunction with the Centre, give affordable housing to all under the PM Awas Yojana by 2025.

On agriculture and farmer welfare, the party asserted that it would increase the financial assistance under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme from the current ₹6,000 to ₹8,000 per annum by extending ₹2,000 as an additional grant from the state government.
The BJP announced that it would launch an agri-infrastructure mission with an investment of ₹500 crore.

Women’s welfare scheme to be launched

A women’s welfare scheme named after Padma Shri awardee Neidonuo Angami will be launched to provide a bond of ₹50,000 on the birth of a girl child, the manifesto said. It also promised to provide free-of-cost quality education to all female students from kindergarten to post-graduation and provide free Scooty to meritorious college girls.

With a view to empowering the youth, the BJP said it would provide two lakh self-employment opportunities in the next five years, and introduce Nagaland tourism skill mission to provide training and employment opportunities to 50,000 local youth.

“Building all-weather roads connecting villages with state and national highways is another promise,” the party said. It added that Kohima would be connected with the railway network by 2024, and it would work with the central government to establish an additional airport.

Nadda also claimed that the solution to the Naga political issue was at the final stage though the matter has no mention in the manifesto.

(With Agency inputs)