‘BJP will make an impact in 2018’

SHILLONG: Buoyed with the BJP’s success in Garo Hills, having managed to secure one seat in the GHADC, party leader and Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports, Sarbananda Sonowal, on Tuesday said the party will be a deciding factor in the Government formation after the 2018 polls in Meghalaya.
“We will definitely make an impact in the 2018 Assembly polls in Meghalaya,”      Sonowal told reporters here on Tuesday evening.
The Minister said that since the BJP led Government at the Centre has provided good governance with accountability, this will reflect in the future elections all over the country.
He also referred to many Congress leaders from Assam joining the party which, according to him will result in BJP playing the most important role in the upcoming Assam Assembly elections.
Neglect charge denied
The BJP leader has denied the view of AICC general secretary in charge Meghalaya V. Narayanasamy that the Centre was neglecting Meghalaya and the rest of the Northeastern states as it had withdrawn grants and special category status.
Countering the charge of the Congress leader, Sonowal said the Niti Aayog formed by the Centre with the participation of all the chief ministers is a right step to address the concerns of the respective states.
“In the recent past, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari had announced over Rs.1 lakh crore for infrastructure development for the Northeast in the next five years.
“Moreover, Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had also announced projects for the development of railways in the North East for the next five years with an estimated cost of Rs.28,000 crore,” Sonowal said.
Youth clubs solution to militancy
Asked about youths joining militant groups in Garo Hills resulting in violent incidents, the Union Minister said that his ministry has several projects to empower the youths including formation of youth clubs at the village level which can help in channelizing the youth energy.
The formation of youth clubs at the village level with Deputy Commissioners as members will help the weaning away youths from militancy, he said.
“Every youth should participate in the national programmes including the Make India initiative and take up careers offered by the Government. The Centre and the state government will co operate as the Prime Minister has emphasized the federal structure of central-state relations to work together to empower the youths,” the Minister said.