Itanagar
Chief Minister Pema Khandu along with his team of cabinet colleagues and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju accorded a warm welcome to NDA’s Presidential candidate, Ram Nath Kovind here this morning. Kovind is on a tour to North-eastern states starting today.
The Presidential Candidate who arrived from New Delhi was accompanied by BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav, Union Minister for Rural Development Narendra Singh Tomar and Assam Finance Minister and NEDA Convenor Hemanta Biswa Sarma.
The State BJP Unit headed by its President Tapir Gao organized a meeting at state Banquet Hall here welcoming Kovind and attended by all BJP legislators and party workers.
Calling the visit of Kovind as ‘historic’, Chief Minister Pema Khandu said this is the first time in history of Arunachal Pradesh that a Presidential candidate has made a visit to the state prior to the election to Rashtrapati Bhawan.
“Earlier all the legislators from North-Eastern states were called to Guwahati to discuss on support to the Presidential candidate. But this is first time that a Presidential candidate himself has taken efforts to reach out to us,” he said.
He appreciated Ram Nath for taking pains to visit Arunachal despite the inclement weather and despite the fact that state’s vote value in the electoral roll for the Presidential election is almost insignificant when compared to other big states.
The Chief Minister expressed happiness that he along with his six legislators and Rijiju were privileged to have been the proposer in filing the nomination papers for Ram Nath.
He also expressed happiness that the Presidential candidate chose to visit Arunachal first among all North-eastern states and was even determined to visit by road in case the weather deteriorated.
Expressing confidence on Ram Nath winning the Presidential election, the Chief Minister showered hopes that as the President that he would guide Prime Minister Narendra Modi in accelerated development of Arunachal Pradesh.
The Chief Minister assured full support of his 47 BJP and two independent legislators for NDA’s Presidential Candidate in the election to be held on July 17. He thanked the state’s 9 PPA legislators who have also extended their support to Ram Nath.
Ram Nath in his address to the legislators said he will stand above party affiliations once elected to the Presidential post and work for overall welfare of the people.
Referring to Arunachal, he said the size of the state does not matter when it comes to welfare and development.
“Arunachal is as important as any other states in India,” he said.
Also speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Tomar talked about the life history and background of Ram Nath and his journey in the service of the country.
National BJP Secretary Ram Madhav explained to the legislators on the procedures and rules regarding the voting for Presidential election.
Rijiju who also spoke on the occasion appreciated Ram Nath for his visit to Arunachal Pradesh and setting a precedence.
Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein spoke on the NDA government’s Act East Policy, and how it is impacting on state’s economy through increased relations between the state and the South East Asian countries.
The vote of thanks was delivered by State BJP President Tapir Gao.
