BJP readies Mission Northeast, forms Northeast Democratic alliance

GUWAHATI: BJP is ready with mission Northeast India. Four states of the region has joined a non-Congress alliance - Northeast Democrartic Alliance (NEDA) to jointly pursue issues confronting region.

Chief Minister of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Sikkim had a meeting in Guwahati. BJP president Amit Shah presided over the meeting on Tuesday.

Tripura is ruled by Left parties and Meghalaya, Manipur and Mizoram are ruled by congress. BJP is eyeing presence across the region which has for long remain Congress stronghold.

BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma is made convenor of the NEDA. Political analyst view this development as preparing Himanta for a larger role after he successfully handled Assam assembly polls.

Former Assam chief minister, Tarun Gogoi remarked, "Definitely the reason behind this platform is political. They (BJP) are vying for expansion in Northeast India. BJP is taking the space of regional party."

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal chaired the first meeting of his council of ministers. The meeting decided to abolish all check gates which have become hub of syndicates and illegal activities with immediate effect. It also decided to do away with interviews for the third and fourth grade government jobs in consonance with the Central government’s policy.

The meeting of council of ministers decided to reduce the number of vehicles of Chief Minister’s convoy to the bare minimum.

The meeting also discussed to do away with certain restrictions put in place during the movement of Chief Minister’s cavalcade so that it (CM’s cavalcade) does not cause any traffic snarls and effect emergency services.

The Chief Minister emphasised on the need to achieve the goals of ‘maximum governance’ to ensure files are pushed faster and decisions are taken with speed. Sonowal paid a visit to the Office of the State Coordinator of National Register of Citizens (NRC) and took stock of the progress of updating the NRC.