Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 12
Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Jual Oram today officially launched the BJP Primary Membership Drive 2014-2020 in the state while gracing a membership workshop organized by the BJP state unit at Ura Conference Hall, Kohima.
In his address, the Union Minister said the country, which was otherwise deteriorating, has started to see positive changes after the BJP came to power recently under the leadership of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He underscored the need for the general populace to understand that BJP is a democratic party and to bring progress and prosperity to the grassroots is one of the party’s top priorities. Stating that he was here on the Prime Minister’s instruction that each Union Minister has to reach out to at least one state other than his/her own home state, Oram asked Nagaland BJP unit officials to implement similar step and visit all the district headquarters, interact and educate the people on the party’s principles and aspirations while appealing them to become primary members of the party.
National BJP Sampark Cell convener, Sunil Deodhar, who accompanied the Union Minister during the brief visit to Kohima, claimed that the BJP is the only democratic party in the country while most other major parties are run by families. Dismissing the notion that BJP is a single religion oriented party as a misconception, he said rather the party fully supports secularism. He asserted that a political party is to give security to the people by way of providing development, quality infrastructure, health care, education etc. “We are committed to secure these to all the citizens of India,” he said. He also called upon state party workers to demonstrate honesty and hard work so as to inspire the people of Nagaland.
Parliamentary Secretary for IPR, Paiwang Konyak, who also attended the workshop, stated that though the BJP in the state has made little impact in the past, the party is now looking forward to greater success. Pointing out the need to make the Naga people understand the difference between politics and religion, the parliamentary secretary stressed that while religion involves the spiritual sphere, a political party is a social system that works for the development of the worldly society.
BJP MLA, Dr. TM Lotha observed that there was a time when BJP was not accepted well in Nagaland but he feels that times have changed and party membership is gradually increasing.
He emphasized the need for proper coordination between state level and district level units of the party. He also pointed out the importance of instilling a sense of participation of all in the membership drive.
The workshop, chaired by state BJP president M Chuba Ao, was attended by state BJP unit officials and party workers from Kohima, Dimapur, Peren, Wokha and Phek.
