NEDA to bring Northeast closer to mainland: Amit Shah

BJP president Amit Shah today expressed optimism over the newly formed North East Democratic Alliance, saying it will bring the region closer to mainland India during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governance.
"North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) will play an important role in attaching northeast to mainland India. NEDA's contribution will be written in golden letters in changing the history of NE," he said at the first conclave of the alliance here.
The foundation of NEDA is a history in itself as it was set up with the formation of the new government in Assam, he said.
"Although BJP is the largest party in the country at present, but the importance of the other smaller regional parties, which NEDA comprises of, is always equal to the largest party. So, BJP's importance in NEDA is never above the regional parties," Shah said.

The BJP chief said the region is full of potentials with rich natural resources, which can attract tourists in huge numbers.
"But even after 68 years of Independence, northeast is not developed, while many areas in India have developed. Problems like infiltration, insurgency and the Centre not giving enough attention are to be blamed for this," Shah said.

He said the Modi government is giving top priority to the region and issued instruction that at least one union minister visits the region in every 15 days.
Assam Finance Minister and NEDA Convener Himanta Biswa Sarma said the organisation will play crucial role in having a Congress-free northeast.

"In 2019 Lok Sabha polls, there will be no Congress MP from northeast. All the 25 MPs from the region will be from NEDA," he said adding NEDA will also come to power in Meghalaya and Manipur after the coming Assembly polls.
Sarma also unveiled the draft 'Guwahati Declaration', which will highlight the plans of programmes of NEDA, and circulated it among members so that it can be finalised within this week.
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"Except Sikkim, almost entire northeast is affected by militancy problem. Only two per cent of it is connected to the mainland and the rest 98 per cent is attached to neighbouring countries. So security on border is very important," he added.

Rijiju announced that fencing work along the Indo-Bangla border in Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram will be over by 2017.
"We will issue a booklet within two months on what we have done for people of North East," he said.
Rijiju also appealed to all the northeast states not to engage in inter-border disputes among themselves.
DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh said the government is working to improve connectivity in the region's eight states.
The conclave was also addressed by Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang, Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Kalikho Pul, Mizo National Front President Zoramthanga, AGP President Atul Bora, United Democratic Party President Donkupar Roy and Bodoland People's Party Chief Hagrama Mohilary.