The first political conclave of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), which comprises the BJP and its nine regional ally parties of the North East, was held in Guwahati on 13 July.
The meeting was attended by BJP national president Amit Shah, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, the chief ministers of Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh and leaders of other political parties.
NEDA convener Himanta Biswa Sarma has been live tweeting the event. Here are few of the updates from the event:
#NEDA heralds dawn of a new era in #NorthEast. Warm welcome to Shri @AmitShah Ji and all the distinguish delegates.
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 13, 2016
A new era of prosperity has started for North East #NEDA @AmitShah pic.twitter.com/XE4UWBffYA
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 13, 2016
Rajen Gohain,MOS Railways welcomes all distinguished delegates to Inaugural Conclave of #NEDA pic.twitter.com/g0noo9HvW3
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 13, 2016
Jitendra Singh Ji,MOS DoNER(I/C) speaking in #NEDA 4 preparing #NE 2 play major role in development of the country. pic.twitter.com/OidEMIlpfh
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 13, 2016
Skill Development & Employment go hand in hand. Let's skill our youth & employment shall follow : Hagrama Mohilary pic.twitter.com/qDzs4wJAHc
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 13, 2016
The first #NEDA conclave has began. Let's give #NorthEast it's long paid dues : Pu Zoramthanga pic.twitter.com/vrKLYFJirJ
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 13, 2016
#NEDA shall focus on #NE role in Act East Policy. NE has huge potential to become a leading region : Donkupar Roy pic.twitter.com/TKGF0P40z0
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 13, 2016
Strengthening #NorthEast, preparing it to play major role in development of country is #NEDA's goal @pawanchamling5 pic.twitter.com/7twq5rdd7y
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 13, 2016
8 #NE states are united with the spirit of resolving border issues,fuel growth in region : T.R.Zeliang
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 13, 2016
India can't develop without NE.#NEDA gave us a unique identity & strength 2 reinforce our identity :@sarbanandsonwal pic.twitter.com/XbyFw79STu
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 13, 2016
While speaking about the NEDA meet on 12 July, Sarma said that the conclave would focus on three issues.
"The conclave has three important objectives. One will be expansion of the base of BJP and its NE allies to make a Congress-free region at the local or regional level," Sarma told PTI.
"Secondly, at the national level, NEDA will work to put in sync NEs growth with the national growth and how NE MPs can work together towards that end and strengthen it as the region has an important role to play in the development of the country," Sarma said.
"At the international level, NEDA will focus on NEs role in the Act East Policy taking forward the regions strategic advantage," he added.
Last month, the BJP brought at least 10 regional parties under its North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA). United Democratic Party (UDP) and National People's Party (NPP), both from Meghalaya, the Mizo National Front (MNF), Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) and Ganashakti are among the regional parties that joined NEDA since it came into being on 24 May.
--With PTI inputs