india

Updated: May 25, 2016 00:49 IST

After the Assam victory, the BJP is aiming big in the northeast. The party on Tuesday formed the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) which would improve coordination among NDA partners in the region and strengthen party bases in the NE states.

After Sarbananda Sonowal’s swearing-in ceremony as chief minister of the state, Amit Shah, BJP national president, held a meeting with chief ministers of Sikkim Paban Kr. Chamling, Arunachal Pradesh Kalikho Pul and Nagaland TR Zeliang.

The chief ministers were present at the swearing-in ceremony of Sonowal. BJP national secretary Ram Madhav was also present in the crucial meeting of NDA partners.

One of the architects of BJP’s victory in Assam assembly election, Himanta Biswa Sarma, was appointed convenor of NEDA. “For improving coordination among NDA partners in NE states and strengthening our base in the region, we have formed North East Democratic Alliance today. We will lay emphasis on good governance, speedy development in states where NDA partners are in power in the NE region,” said Sarma after formation of the new alliance.

NEDA would target its main rival Congress in the region. BJP has already started its works to oust Congress from power in two Congress-ruled states of Meghayala and Manipur. The party may go for tie-up with small regional political parties in these states. Congress is in power in Mizoram also.

BJP had supported dissident Congress MLA Kalikho Pul in overthrowing Nabam-Tuki led Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh.