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Opposition made Northeast 'suffer greatly' through vote bank politics: PM Modi in Mizoram

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  Published in Politics and Government on Saturday, September 13th 2025 at 7:01 GMT by ThePrint
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Opposition’s Vote‑Bank Politics Undermining the Northeast, Says PM Modi in Mizoram

In a high‑profile address to the people of Mizoram, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated a theme that has become central to his government’s narrative on the North‑East: that the opposition parties have consistently used identity‑based vote‑bank politics to stall progress in the region. The Prime Minister’s remarks, delivered on the sidelines of the state’s “National Pride” celebration, were later posted on the BJP’s official YouTube channel and covered extensively by Indian media, including a detailed piece by The Print.

1. Modi’s Central Thesis

Modi framed his speech around a simple but powerful assertion: “The opposition has made the North‑East suffer greatly through vote‑bank politics.” He pointed out that while the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has focused on large‑scale development initiatives, the opposition has leaned on divisive politics to win seats. According to the Print article, he highlighted three main ways the opposition has harmed the region:

1. Fragmentation of the electorate – By emphasizing ethnic and linguistic identities, opposition parties, the article notes, have fragmented the voter base, making it harder to build a unified demand for development.

2. Stagnation of policy implementation – Opposition leaders, the article argues, have opposed key projects like the “East‑West Corridor” and the “Bharat–Myanmar Connectivity” plan, citing local opposition to the “vote‑bank” narrative.

3. Rejection of the central vision – Modi’s speech also criticized opposition rhetoric that has framed national development projects as external interference, a narrative the article claims has been used to galvanize anti‑central sentiment.

2. Context: The North‑East’s Development Challenges

The Print piece contextualised Modi’s comments by reminding readers of the North‑East’s long‑standing developmental lag. The region, comprising eight states and two union territories, has historically faced poor connectivity, limited industrialisation, and a lack of sustained investment. Key projects launched in recent years – such as the “Project Green Line” to facilitate trade with neighboring Myanmar and the “North‑East Development Corridor” – are part of the central government’s strategy to integrate the region into the national economy.

The article further noted that the NDA’s administration has announced a ₹27,000 crore package for the North‑East during the 2024‑25 fiscal year, earmarked for road and rail connectivity, renewable energy, and digital infrastructure. These initiatives were hailed by Modi as a decisive step toward “bringing the North‑East to the national mainstream.”

3. Opposition’s Historical Use of Vote‑Bank Politics

The Print analysis traced the opposition’s use of vote‑bank politics back to the early 2000s. The article highlighted two notable examples:

• Congress in Assam – The party’s 2014 campaign was criticised for relying heavily on Assamese identity, the article argues, which left the Assamese Hindu minority alienated. This, Modi said, “created a divide that the NDA later bridged through inclusive development.”

• AITC’s Foray into Meghalaya – Modi cited the All India Trinamool Congress’s 2022 campaign as an example of a party that “attempted to exploit ethnic divisions for short‑term electoral gains.”

According to the Print article, these instances led to “vote fragmentation” that often left the opposition with a narrow majority while leaving the region’s developmental agenda in limbo.

4. Modi’s Call to Action

In his Mizoram speech, Modi didn’t just condemn past tactics – he also called for a new mode of politics in the region. He urged opposition leaders to “serve the people, not the party.” He reminded them that the North‑East “is not a laboratory for identity politics, but a vital part of the Indian nation.” The article reports that he concluded by saying: “We will continue to bring investment, create jobs, and connect you with the rest of the country. The opposition’s role should be to support these goals, not to undermine them.”

5. Media Reaction and Follow‑Up Coverage

The Print piece concluded by summarising the media response to Modi’s remarks. Several local outlets applauded the Prime Minister for addressing a “deep‑seated problem.” Opposition leaders, on the other hand, dismissed the claims as “political rhetoric.” The article also linked to a YouTube clip posted by the Prime Minister’s office, where Modi reiterated his points with a 15‑minute video of the Mizoram address.

Other national news outlets – such as The Hindu, Times of India, and The Indian Express – picked up the story and ran commentaries about the central government’s role in the region’s development. The Print article’s footnotes provided direct links to these sources, offering readers additional perspectives.

6. Bottom Line

In the words of The Print summary, Modi’s address in Mizoram serves as a clarion call: the North‑East’s future is tied to a politics that prioritises development over identity. His message is clear – the opposition must abandon vote‑bank tactics that fracture the region and instead collaborate on a shared vision for growth. Whether the opposition takes this call to heart remains to be seen, but the Prime Minister’s remarks mark a significant moment in the ongoing dialogue over the North‑East’s place in India’s national narrative.