During an election rally in the North Tura constituency, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had broken its alliance with the National People's Party (NPP) in Meghalaya before the state's assembly elections so that the party could contest all 60 seats and become stronger, reported news agency PTI.


Shah urged the people to vote for the BJP, citing the need to end corruption in the state. He also pointed out the significant budget deficit of Rs 1,849 crore, a substantial amount for a small state like Meghalaya, that had resulted from mismanagement and corruption in the state.


Shah assured the public that the BJP if elected, would take the necessary steps to eradicate corruption from the state. He listed various development initiatives that the central government had implemented, including the PM-DevINE scheme, which had a budget of Rs 6,000 crore. PTI quoted him as saying that Meghalaya would be the greatest beneficiary of the PM-DevINE scheme if the BJP formed the state government. The PM-DevINE scheme aims to improve infrastructure, support industries, and social development projects, and, in turn, generate employment opportunities.


Shah further noted that 21 lakh people in Meghalaya are benefiting from the free food grain scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana. "Around 2 lakh farmers are receiving Rs 6,000 per year," he said. The BJP also plans to work towards providing primary, secondary, and higher education in Garo and establishing two medical colleges in the state.


Shah pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited the Northeast 51 times and contributed significantly to the region's development. He compared the medical college situation in Meghalaya to that in Assam, where the Modi government had successfully established five medical colleges.


Shah said that only the BJP had the power to eliminate corruption and bring about positive change in the state. 


The BJP has assured the people of Meghalaya that the amount paid to farmers under PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi will be increased by Rs 2000 and a bond of Rs 50,000 will be given on the birth of a girl child. It also promised the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission in Meghalaya and the timely disbursal of salaries of government employees.


Meghalaya will go to polls in a single phase on February 26.