Blaming Congress alone ignores NDA’s challenges in sensitive regions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday blamed Congress for the Northeast’s historical neglect, citing the party’s “inherent habit” of abandoning difficult development projects. He highlighted Arunachal Pradesh’s progress since 2014, including ₹5,100 crore in newly unveiled projects, frequent ministerial visits, and the launch of GST reforms described as a “double bonanza” for citizens.

However, applying the same logic raises questions about the NDA government’s own record in other sensitive regions. Jammu & Kashmir continues to face political and administrative challenges, with unresolved local issues affecting governance and development. Border villages across several states still lack adequate infrastructure and basic services, while Manipur has witnessed repeated clashes, and regions like Nagaland and parts of the Northeast experience delayed development and administrative uncertainty.

If past neglect by Congress justifies Modi’s claims, then ongoing issues in these areas similarly reflect the current government’s shortcomings. While Arunachal’s progress is noteworthy, selectively highlighting it presents only a partial picture of governance in the Northeast and border states.

Sustainable development in these regions requires long-term political stability, inclusive planning, and consistent implementation. Without addressing these systemic challenges, the narrative of “double-engine” governance and rapid progress appears incomplete, especially in strategically important and conflict-prone areas.

In essence, while Congress’s past failures cannot be ignored, current developmental gaps and instability in regions like J&K, Manipur, and Nagaland show that accountability lies with the ruling government as much as with previous administrations.