As the campaigning for the Meghalaya Assembly elections reaches its peak, Union Minister Smriti Zubin Irani visited the state on February 25 to appeal to the citizens of Phulbari and Nangbah to vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming polls on February 27.
Riding a scooter and participating in a roadshow, Irani urged the voters to support the BJP government, citing the party's track record of providing basic necessities such as rice, tea, and vaccines to the people. She also promised to give Rs. 3000 to landless farmers if elected.
In a Facebook post, Irani wrote, "The 'Dance of Democracy'! Appealed to the citizens of Phulbari and Nangbah in Meghalaya to vote for BJP Meghalaya and ensure development as the state goes to polls on 27 February."
Irani, who is the Minister of Women and Child Development and Textiles, also met with BJP leaders and supporters during her visit to the state.
The BJP is contesting the Meghalaya Assembly elections with the goal of forming a government in the state for the first time. The party has been campaigning aggressively, with leaders like Irani making visits to the state to drum up support for the party.
Earlier on February 24, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a massive roadshow in Shillong and addressed the public amidst a controversy over alleged derogatory remarks made by Congress party workers. Modi praised the vibrant traditions, amazing natural beauty, and talented people of Meghalaya, and promised to work for the development of the state.
The BJP hopes to secure a large vote share in the state, which has little development and employment opportunities. The Prime Minister urged the people to vote for the BJP government in the upcoming election, criticizing the previous government for not working for the development of the state and using it as an ATM. PM Modi expressed his confidence that the BJP will form a strong and people-centric government in Meghalaya.
The Meghalaya Assembly has 60 seats, and the BJP is contesting in all of them.
The elections are being closely watched, as Meghalaya is one of the few northeastern states where the BJP has not yet managed to form a government. A win in the state would be a major boost for the party, which has been trying to expand its footprint in the region.