NEW DELHI, Dec 6: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday emphasized that the development of the Northeast was neglected by previous governments due to the region’s smaller population and fewer votes.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav, a festival celebrating the vibrancy of the Northeast, Modi asserted that earlier administrations prioritized development based on the electoral weight of regions, and since the Northeast had fewer seats and votes, it did not receive adequate attention.

He noted that the government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the first to create a dedicated ministry for the region, allocating 20% of the budget from every ministry for the development of the Northeast. Modi highlighted the significant progress made in the last decade under his leadership, saying that the region has become an integral part of India’s growth story.

“The journey of Northeast development in the last decade has been remarkable, but it has not been easy. Every possible step has been taken to connect the northeastern states with India’s broader growth,” Modi said. He criticized the earlier approach where development was often weighed against votes and mentioned that due to the low number of votes and seats, the region’s development was sidelined.

Modi expressed his belief that the future of India lies in the eastern part of the country, particularly in the Northeast. He pointed out that cities such as Guwahati, Shillong, Imphal, Itanagar, and Aizawl, alongside major metropolitan hubs like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru, will emerge as new beacons of growth.

He also praised the Northeast for its vibrant culture and dynamic people, asserting that the region holds immense potential to drive India’s growth. Modi stated that his government has worked to bridge the perceived gap between Delhi and the ‘Dil’ of the Northeast, a sentiment he emphasized by noting that over 700 visits were made by Union ministers to the region in the last decade.

The Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav, which is being held at the Bharat Mandapam from December 6 to 8, is celebrating the diversity and promise of the eight states of the Northeast — Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura, and Sikkim. Collectively, these states are known as the ‘Ashtalakshmi.’ The festival aims to showcase the beauty, cultural richness, and potential of the region, reinforcing the importance of the Northeast in India’s growth trajectory.