On the 27th of February In a bid to encourage greater voter participation in the northeastern states of Meghalaya and Nagaland, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the people of these states, especially the young and first-time voters, to exercise their franchise in record numbers.
Appealing to voters to come out and cast their votes in large numbers, the Prime Minister, who has been actively campaigning for his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in both states ahead of the assembly elections, took to social media.
The elections in these two northeastern states are considered crucial for the BJP, which is looking to expand its footprint in the region. The party currently rules in six of the eight northeastern states and is hoping to add Meghalaya and Nagaland to its list of conquests.
In Nagaland, the BJP is contesting in alliance with the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, while in Meghalaya, the party is fighting the polls on its own.
The northeastern region has traditionally been a Congress stronghold, and the BJP’s efforts to make inroads into the region have been met with resistance from local parties and groups. However, the party has managed to make significant gains in recent years, winning the assembly elections in Assam and Tripura and forming governments in both states.
As voting got underway in Meghalaya and Nagaland, the Prime Minister’s message was seen as an attempt to energize the youth vote, which is believed to be a key demographic in both states. The BJP has been actively courting young voters in the region, highlighting its development agenda and its efforts to create jobs and improve infrastructure.
With the results of the elections set to be announced on March 3, the BJP and its allies are hoping for a strong showing, while the opposition parties are looking to put up a tough fight. The voter turnout in both states is expected to be crucial in determining the outcome of the polls.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to the people of Meghalaya and Nagaland to vote in record numbers is a crucial step towards strengthening India’s democratic process. With both states facing crucial assembly elections, every vote will count, and it is important for citizens, especially young and first-time voters, to exercise their right to vote and play a role in shaping the future of their states.
