Learn from BJP's wrongdoings in Assam, Ghulam Nabi Azad warns Nagaland, Meghalaya ahead of polls

GUWAHATI: On the last day of campaigning for Nagaland and Meghalaya polls, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad cautioned voters of the two states that their cultural identities, freedom of food and religion will be at stake if they vote for BJP.

The leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha said that BJP does not know anything about the lifestyle and culture of the people of the northeastern region. "They (BJP) haven't worked in this region but they want to come to power by fair and unfair means. I am not worried about how they do it but my concern is the protection and preservation of the culture of the region as in Jammu and Kashmir. Our way of life, our culture and our food habits are more important," the former J& K chief minister said.

He said that BJP wants people of the northeast to behave the way the party has imposed in rest of the country. "It is not acceptable. There are restrictions on food habits. They have entered kitchens at homes and hostels of colleges and universities searching for what kind of meat has been kept in the refrigerators. I think India with its diverse culture is not used to this kind of interference from the government in our food habits and the faiths we practice. We don't want any government to temper with the basic provisions of the Constitution."

He said that after coming to power in three northeastern states, BJP wants more. "They succeeded in Assam and manipulated in Manipur by misusing constitutional offices. They now want three more states so that they can treat the people of these states as poorly as in other states. I caution the voters of the three states to be very careful and think not twice but ten times before voting for BJP," he said.

Azad also appealed to the voters to look to Assam before taking a decision on the voting day. "The voters of the states must learn from the wrongdoings of BJP in Assam. All the promises made by no less than PM Modi have not been fulfilled. There is no economic activity, no development and no new projects in Assam," he said.

He said that Congress is the only party that never uses religion as a means to fight election. "The voters should know which party takes help of religion. Congress never believes in this policy."