Elections live: Meghalaya and Nagaland will go to polls on February 27. (representational)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday claimed that the Congress used the Northeast as an ATM, while the BJP considers the eight states of the region as 'Ashtalakshmi' (eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi) and is working for its peace and development.
Addressing an election rally in Dimapur, he said the NDA is striving to bring permanent peace in Nagaland so that Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 is completely lifted from the state.
"The country can't be run by distrusting your own people but by respecting and solving their problems. Earlier, the Northeast had politics of divide, we have now transformed it into divine governance. The BJP does not discriminate people on the basis of religion or region and religion," Modi said.
Noting that there was political instability in Nagaland during Congress rule, he claimed that the grand old party remote-controlled Northeast from Delhi, and siphoned off money meant for its development, while giving primacy to "dynasty politics, from Delhi to Dimapur".
Here are the LIVE updates on the Assembly Elections:
Focus On Four Women Candidates In Nagaland PollsAs Nagaland goes to the polls on Monday to elect a new Assembly, all eyes will be on four women candidates who are trying to create history by becoming the first women to be elected as a legislator in this North Eastern state.
Being Nationalist Is BJP's Biggest Identity, Nagaland BJP Chief Tells NDTV
BJP Will Get Absolute Majority In Tripura: Biplab Deb
BJP will get an absolute majority in Tripura as women voters outnumbered men in exercising their franchise in the assembly elections, senior party leader Biplab Deb claimed on Friday.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the Tripureswari temple in Gomati district, the former chief minister said the BJP-led government in the state has worked well for the empowerment of women.
Tripura Election Chief Reviews Counting Day PreparationsAhead of the counting of votes of recently held Tripura Assembly polls, Tripura Chief Electoral Officer Kiran Gitte conducted review meetings for the smooth completion of the counting process. The counting of votes of 60 assembly constituencies shall be held in 21 locations across the state on March 2.
"Efforts On To Remove Need Of...": PM Modi On Controversial Law AFSPA In NagalandPM Modi said that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) has removed in many places in Nagaland and efforts are on to ensure there is no need of AFSPA in Nagaland. "Efforts are on to ensure permanent peace in the state. After March 2, extortionists will be further probed," he said.
PM Modi: "Nagaland, All 8 Northeast States Are Ashthalakshmi To BJP"
BJP's mantra for Nagaland is "peace, progress and prosperity," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing a rally ahead of assembly elections in the state. "You can't run a country by distrusting your own people. A country is run by respecting your own people. Earlier, there was politics of division here. We changed it to divine politics," he said.
PM Modi In Nagaland: "Congress Used State Like ATM To Extort Money For Delhi"Addressing an election rally in Dimapur, PM Narendra Modi said Nagaland was used "like an ATM, to extort money and take to Delhi" by previous governments. He said Congress leaders in Delhi "don't even look at Nagaland" and ruled it by a "remote control". "From Delhi to Dimapur, these people prioritised dynastic politics. Therefore, Congress is getting punishment for its deeds in Northeast," he said.
"I Eat Beef, Lifestyle In Meghalaya, No One Can Stop It": State BJP ChiefBharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state chief Ernest Mawrie said that there is "no restriction on beef eating" in Meghalaya and that he too consumes beef.
While talking to ANI, Ernest Mawrie said, "I cannot make a statement on the resolution adopted by other states. We are in Meghalaya, everybody eats beef, and there is no restriction. Yes, I eat beef too. There is no ban in Meghalaya. It is the lifestyle of the people, no one can stop it." Read
here.
Nagaland polls: We have fielded 22 candidates, expecting 12-15 seats, says Naga People's Front chiefFormer Nagaland Chief Minister and Naga People's Front (NPF) chief Shurhozelie Liezietsu on Wednesday said that the option for a post-poll alliance is still open, but it's not confirmed which party will they support. Talking exclusively to ANI, Liezietus said, "The upcoming elections are very special. Earlier only 3-4 parties used to fight, but this time there are 12 political parties. But, ours is the only regional party, the rest are national parties".
Solution to Naga peace talks long overdue, Cong is hope for development: Shashi Tharoor
Senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor has said the solution to the Naga peace talks was long overdue, and that his party wants to see it resolved. "Nagas deserve better than this kind of deception, corruption, dishonesty and inefficiency," he said.
"No Restriction In Meghalaya, I Eat Beef Too": State BJP Chief
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state chief Ernest Mawrie said that there is "no restriction on beef eating" in Meghalaya and that he too consumes beef. "I cannot make a statement on the resolution adopted by other states. We are in Meghalaya, everybody eats beef, and there is no restriction. Yes, I eat beef too. There is no ban in Meghalaya. It is the lifestyle of the people, no one can stop it," Ernest Mawrie sid, according to ANI.
BJP Like A "Class Bully", Thinks It Knows Everything": Rahul GandhiCongress leader Rahul Gandhi today alleged that the BJP was like a "class bully" that respects no one, as it thinks that it knows everything.
Addressing a poll rally in Shillong, Mr Gandhi also attacked the Trinamool Congress, alleging that the party was fighting the elections in Meghalaya to ensure that the BJP comes to power in the northeastern state.
BJP Hits Back At Congress's "Looted Nagaland For 20 Years" Charge
Responding to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's charge that the ruling NDPP-BJP alliance looted Nagaland for 20 years, Nalin Kohli, the party's national spokesperson and the poll in-charge of the Northeast state hit back at him on Wednesday saying that the ruling alliance has only been in power in the state for five years.
Meghalaya Polls: Mamata Banerjee's Poll Pitch At Meghalaya Rally
In a veiled attack on the BJP at an election rally in Meghalaya, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said her party will not allow people coming from outside to impose CAA and NRC on residents of the northeastern state.
She accused the Conrad Sangma government in the state of not undertaking development work and being involved in various scandals.
Amit Shah To Adress Rally In Poll-Bound Karnataka On Feb 23
Union Home Minister Amit Shah would address a public meeting in poll-bound Karnataka, and discuss strategy with senior BJP leaders on Thursday, seeking to give a fresh impetus to the party's preparations for the elections due by May.
Mr Shah would address a public meeting at Sandur in Ballari district and later visit Bengaluru, where he would take part in an interactive programme.
Meghalaya Speaker Richest Candidate With Assets Over Rs 146 Crore
The assets of Meghalaya assembly speaker Metbah Lyngdoh, the richest candidate to fight the assembly elections, increased by 68 per cent to Rs 146.31 crore in the last five years, according to a report.
Mr Lyngdoh, the chief of the United Democratic Party (UDP) who is re-contesting the February 27 polls from the Mairang seat, had declared assets of Rs 87.26 crore in the 2018 assembly elections, according to the report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Meghalaya Election Watch.
"Big Guns May Not Boom": Meghalaya Minister Ahead Of Elections
Star campaigners like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee or Congress' Rahul Gandhi who have helicoptered in to pitch for their respective party candidates, leave National People's Party leader and Meghalaya deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong unimpressed.
Tynsong, a former Congress leader likened the "big guns" campaign style to a "car rally show" which he claimed will not cut ice with local voters, even as he also quickly added that the multi-cornered contest with BJP, Congress and TMC pitching in to battle it out with local parties like his, will help the NPP as "opposition votes will be divided".
"It's just like a car rally show, so many people want to take a ride, but ultimately you don't get the votes," Tynsong said in an interview to PTI, while explaining his reaction to the galaxy of national leaders who have descended on this picturesque northeastern state, often described as 'India's Switzerland'.
Central Forces Deployed Across Meghalaya
The Election Commission of India has deployed 119 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in Meghalaya to smoothly conduct the assembly polls in the state which will be held on February 27.
"In terms of law and order, we have 119 companies here," FR Kharkongor, Chief Electoral Officer, Meghalaya told ANI.
"We had 40 companies who had been deployed earlier and another 79 companies have been inducted after the Tripura polls. In terms of law and order, it is very smooth. Of course unfortunately one candidate of the Sohiong constituency passed away in the hospital. We have already sent the information and recommendation for adjustment of the poll to the election commission. So in all likelihood, the election will be held in 59 out of 60 constituencies," the CEO of Meghalaya added.
Nagaland election: M Kharge claims BJP "cheated" people on Naga political issueAccusing the BJP-led central government of cheating the people of Nagaland on the Naga political problem, the Congress on Tuesday asserted that given a chance, it will fulfil the aspirations of the citizens of the northeastern state.
Solving the decades-old Naga issue is one of the top-most commitments in the Congress' manifesto, party president Mallikarjun Kharge said at an election rally.
"The Narendra Modi government does not have the political will to put into effect the agreed solutions to the Naga political issue and has cheated the people of Nagaland and the country as well," he said.
Meghalaya polls: BJP interested only in staying in power through politics of manoeuvring, says Sachin PilotCongress leader Sachin Pilot on Tuesday slammed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for "indulging in political manoeuvring for staying in power" stating that he is confident that the people of Meghalaya can see through this and will use their wisdom to vote on February 27.
Addressing an election meeting in Shillong, Mr Pilot said that Congress will form the government in Meghalaya this time with absolute majority seats as they have the people's willingness, support and blessings of voters.
"I am absolutely sure that our candidates, manifesto, the way the Congress party has campaigned...We may not have the resources to match the BJP for example, but we have the people's willingness, support and blessings of our voters. So, I think we will do very well and the next Government that will be formed will be a Congress Government and in other states also we are doing very well," said the Congress leader.
2 Kidnapped From Candidate's House In Poll-Bound Nagaland, Vehicle Set On Fire
Two persons were kidnapped from the residence of a Naga People's Front (NPF) candidate and a vehicle was set on fire in Mon district of poll-bound Nagaland, a top police officer said on Tuesday. One person was later released by the kidnappers while an operation was on to rescue the other, he said. "There was an incident of two persons being taken away from the residence of the Naga Peoples Front (NPF) candidate from Tizit assembly constituency last night," Mon superintendent of police T Uniel Kichu told PTI. The two persons were not party members but were staying at the residence of the NPF candidate.
Naga Peace Talks Underway, Hopeful PM's Initiative Will Bear Fruit: Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah today asserted that Naga peace talks are underway and hoped that the initiative taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring lasting peace in the northeastern state will bear fruit. Addressing an election rally in Tuensang, Mr Shah said there are some issues related to development and rights of eastern Nagaland and those will be addressed after the assembly elections.
Nagaland's Neiphiu Rio Welcomes BJP's Decision To Make His Party "Major Partner"
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio yesterday welcomed the BJP's decision to make his National Democratic People's Party (NDPP) the 'major partner' in the alliance with the BJP in terms of seat sharing for the February 27 assembly election. The alliance of the regional political party NDPP and the BJP is contesting the election in a 40:20 seat-sharing formula. He also exuded confidence that the alliance will win 45-50 seats in the elections to the 60-member assembly. "You have respected the Nagas to be a major partner. The BJP, though capable, had humbled to contest 20 seats," he said, addressing an election rally attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Meghalaya To Get Film City If BJP Wins Polls: Actor-MP Ravi Kishan
Actor turned BJP MP Ravi Kishan yesterday claimed that the BJP in Meghalaya will build a film city if the party is voted to power in the February 27 assembly election. Just as the party did in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP will do the same in Meghalaya, he said. "Since the youth of Shillong are immersed in music and art, the BJP will build a film city here if voted to power," he said. Mr Kishan said it will create jobs for the youths in the state. "From support staff to soundman, to technician, to artists, to managers, a wide variety of job vacancies will be created in the state by the film city," he said.
"Want Quick Solution To Naga Problem": Amit Shah At Nagaland Rally
Union Home Minister Amit Shah yesterday assured the people of Nagaland that the BJP-led central government wants a quick solution to the decades-old Naga peace talks. The veteran BJP leader also asserted that addressing the issues of the Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO), which has been demanding a separate state, will be the responsibility of the next NDPP-BJP government. Read here.
Meghalaya Polls: Polling Postponed In Sohiong Seat After Ex Minister Dies
The Election Commission on Monday postponed polling in the Sohiong assembly constituency in Meghalaya due to the death of United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate and former state Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh. Now, voting will be held in 59 out of the 60 constituencies in Meghalaya on February 27. Mr Lyngdoh, a five-time MLA, died due to cardiac arrest yesterday. The revised date for polling in Sohiong will be announced later, said Chief Electoral Officer FR Kharkongor.