Family-based parties have used NE as ATM while BJP considers it 'Ashtalakshmi': Modi

Guwahati, Feb 24:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi today claimed that some family-based political parties (read as Congress, NPP) have been using Meghalaya and all other states of Northeast as ATMs to exploit the region’s resources, while the BJP considers the eight states of the region as 'Ashtalakshmi' (eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi) and is working for its peace and development.

“This is the reason why people of Meghalaya and the entire NE now want BJP to rule them so that the interests of development and peace get priority over ‘interests of certain families’, Modi said while addressing a BJP election rally in Shillong today.
“All along my road show in this beautiful city today, I have seen one this very clearly and this is Meghalaya wants BJP. So, let BJP rule you here so that I am in an advantageous position to serve the people of Meghalaya better from New Delhi,” said exuding confidence that people of Meghalaya and the rest of the NE are now with the BJP and lotus.

“All along the people of Meghalaya have been kept divided over small, small issues by these family-run political parties which have been least bothered about the development of the people. Now, during the last nine years during the BJP regime in Delhi, the NE’s development has been a top priority,” he said.

"The country can't be run by distrusting your own people but by respecting and solving their problems. Earlier, the Northeast had politics of divide, we have now transformed it into divine governance. The BJP does not discriminate people on the basis of religion or region and religion," Modi said.
Modi began his speech by hailing the natural beauty, vibrancy, liveliness, creativity, wonderful ethnicity of Meghalaya and its people. He assured that the love and blessing showered by the people of Meghalaya would be reciprocated by him through rapid economic development of the state.