Dimapur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, February 24, slammed the previous Congress governments stating that they considered all states in the Northeast as ATMs and added that the entire region is now punishing the grand old party for its sins. The PM also praised the work done by the BJP government at the Centre level and said that it has changed the political thinking for the northeast.

"I sense that the BJP and NDPP are quite popular. Because we are putting in so much effort to find a solution for the development of the northeast, there is a great deal of support for the BJP-NDPP government in Nagaland. 

The Congress and its allies have maintained a voting-only approach, never taking any action to further the interests of the populace. Delhi-based Congress leaders have a bad tendency of ignoring Nagaland. Stability and prosperity in the state were never important to Congress or its friends. Political unrest persisted throughout the Congress' administration "PM Modi made this statement while speaking at a rally at Nagaland.

"Congress has consistently controlled the Nagaland government remotely from Delhi. Congress dabbled in familial politics from Delhi to Dimapur. Nagaland and the rest of the Northeast are thereby punishing Congress for its transgressions " he  said.

Regarding the distribution of government funds to the general public, the Prime Minister cited former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and claimed that before the BJP government at the Centre took office, only 15 paise of the money distributed to the general public made it to the Northeast. Now, however, every rupee is distributed to the region's people.

"The NDA government has altered New Delhi's political outlook on the northeast. The Northeast has always been regarded as Congress's ATM. The residents in this area did not receive any government funding; instead, it went to the crooked parties' coffers. A former prime minister from the Congress party had claimed that just 15 paisa of every rupee he sends reaches the general populace. Yet, this 15 paisa likewise did not arrive in the northeast earlier " he said.

"Thousands of families in Nagaland are currently receiving free rations from the federal government. This is taking place because, unlike the Congress party, we do not view the eight Northeastern states as ATMs. The eight Northeastern states are "Ashta Lakshmi" to us" he added.

The Prime Minsiter said that the BJP has attacked corruption with the help of technology.

"Ten years ago, the idea that things in the northeast could change was unthinkable. Nonetheless, the BJP has begun using technology to fight corruption. Each and every penny sent from Delhi is now arriving in your bank account " he added.

NDPP Secretary General Abu Metha, BJP In-Charge Nagaland Nalin Kohli, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton, BJP Candidates Tovihoto Ayemi, Jacob Zhimomi, and NDPP Candidates Zhaleo Rio, Hekani Jakhalu, and Moatoshi Longkumer were present during the Prime Minister's address.

Together with Tripura and Meghalaya, Nagaland will hold Assembly elections on February 27. The results will be announced on March 2.