PM Modi to kick-start BJP election campaign in poll-bound Mizoram, Meghalaya today

State Assembly elections in both the states are scheduled to be held in 2018

Shillong/Aizawl: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to visit Mizoram and Meghalaya on Saturday to kick-start Bharatiya Janata Party's election campaign in both the states.

The PM is expected to announce the opening of a party branch office in Shillong and launch the election campaign at Polo ground.

During his visit, the Prime Minister will address two public rallies and inaugurate several development projects, including a 60 MW Tuirial Hydro Electric Power Project (HEPP)  project at Aizawl in the morning and the Shillong-Nongstoin-Tura National Highway Highway in the afternoon.

Elections to the 60-member Meghalaya assembly are scheduled to be held in February-March 2018. The election for 40-seats Mizoram legislative assembly is expected to take place later in the year. The assembly polls in other northeastern states such as Nagaland and Tripura will also be held early next year.

Meghalaya BJP President Shibun Lyngdoh said that the campaign will boost the party`s prospects in the state, which has been ruled by the Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance government for two consecutive terms now.

The BJP, which had no presence in the assembly, hopes to win 40 of the 60 seats.

Hours before his scheduled visit, the Prime Minister tweeted, "The enchanting and effervescent Northeast calls. Looking forward to visiting Mizoram and Meghalaya tomorrow, where various development projects will be inaugurated. These projects will add impetus to the development journey of the Northeast."

In Shillong I will inaugurate the Shillong-Nongstoin-Rongjeng-Tura Road. This project will improve connectivity and further economic growth. I will also address a public meeting.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 15, 2017

We see immense potential in the Northeast and are committed to doing everything for the region’s overall progress. pic.twitter.com/9b7NByXAHc

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 15, 2017

"It is my privilege to be dedicating the Tuirial Hydropower Project to the nation at tomorrow’s programme in Aizawl. The completion of this project is a boon for the people of Mizoram," he said in another tweet.

He will also launch `MyDoNER App` and will distribute cheques to start-up entrepreneurs in Aizawl. “Giving wings to our Yuva Shakti, DoNER has set up a Rs. 100 crore Northeast Venture Capital Fund. Tomorrow I will be distributing cheques to entrepreneurs from this fund. A spirit of enterprise among the Northeast’s youth augurs well for the empowerment of the region,” he tweeted.