PM Modi Says Northeast Faced Neglect Due To Fewer Votes, Seats: 'Development Was Weighed Against Votes'

Reflecting on his government's efforts over the past decade, PM Modi mentioned that they worked to bridge the gap between Delhi and the 'Dil' (heart) of the northeast.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is addressing during the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav in Delhi on Friday.

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Lashing out over the role of the previous government in the northeast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Friday that development in this region was ignored due to the smaller population and fewer votes.

While inaugurating the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav to celebrate the vibrancy of the northeast, PM Modi emphasised the role of Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government in creating a dedicated ministry for the region. The government also earmarked a 20 per cent budget for every ministry for the development of this region.

"In the last decade, we have seen a wonderful journey of the development of the northeast but it was not easy. We have taken every possible step to connect the northeastern states with India's growth story. For a long time, we have seen how development was weighed against votes. Northeastern states had less votes and low seats so previous governments did not pay attention to the development of the region," he said, news agency PTI reported.

With its vibrant culture and dynamic people, the Northeast holds immense potential to propel India's growth. Addressing the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav in Delhi. https://t.co/aLBQSzWuas

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 6, 2024

Northeast Holds Vast Potential To Drive India's Growth: PM Modi

Prime Minister Modi expressed his firm belief that the future lies in eastern India and the northeast. He compared cities like Guwahati, Shillong, Imphal, Itanagar, and Aizawl to other major urban hubs such as Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru, stating that they will become new centers of growth.

He emphasised that the northeast, with its vibrant culture and dynamic people, holds vast potential to drive India's growth.

Reflecting on his government's efforts over the past decade, PM Modi mentioned that they worked to bridge the gap between Delhi and the 'Dil' (heart) of the northeast. Over the past ten years, Union ministers made 700 visits to the region, and his government has focused on connecting it through the three pillars of emotion, economy, and ecology.

The first-ever Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav, being held from December 6 to 8 at the Bharat Mandapam, aims to highlight the beauty, diversity, and potential of the eight northeastern states—Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura, and Sikkim, collectively known as the 'Ashtalakshmi'.