The BJP continued to push its development agenda in poll-bound Mizoram with Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari asserting on Monday that he would deliver what he declared.
Addressing a poll rally in the Dampa constituency under Mamit district bordering Assam, Tripura and Bangladesh, Gadkari talked about the road and bridge infrastructure being created by his ministry in the state, which goes to polls on November 7.
He also compared his own track record with other politicians while appealing to the voters to “test” the BJP by giving them an opportunity.
Towards the end of his 27-minute speech, Gadkari said: “I am not that type of leader and politician who only declares slogans. In the whole of India, nobody can ask me about my declaration. When I stand to declare anything, I am always going to complete that, that is my track record.”
He went on to add: “I only request you to elect BJP, support BJP, support these very capable (party) candidates. I promise you that under the party leadership of Modi and (JP) Nadda ji, we will transform Mizoram into one of the developed states of the country.”
State BJP president Vanlalhmuaka is contesting from the Dampa constituency, currently held by the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF).
After apprising the gathering about his ministry “trying to complete” road infrastructure of Rs 50,000 crore in Mizoram, of which 355km costing Rs 8,000 crore has been completed, Gadkari announced a two-lane 750km “big road” in Mizoram from Myanmar border costing Rs 20,000 crore.
“This road will connect nine districts of Mizoram along the international border with Myanmar... I am expecting cooperation from the state government... Money is not a problem. I want to implement but without getting land, without getting clearance from the forest and environment which is related to the state government, how am I going to complete the project? This is going to be a problem,” Gadkari said, targeting the MNF-led state government while promising “international standard” infrastructure in Mizoram.
He flagged the issue of projects getting affected because of delays in land acquisition and forest clearance at least thrice.
Before Gadkari, BJP president J.P. Nadda had also pushed the development plank at a poll rally on Saturday while attacking the ruling MNF.
MNF is an ally of the BJP-led NDA but they have no tie-up in Mizoram and both are having a go at each other. The BJP is a small player in Mizoram having won its first Assembly only in 2018.
BJP is contesting 23 of the 40 seats, concentrating especially in areas inhabited by minority tribes such as the Chakma and Brus. Mamit district has a significant Bru and Chakma population.
