Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said his government would spend Rs 1,800 crore to make Kohima a smart city. Addressing a rally in Nagaland’s Tuensang city, Modi promised electricity for all homes in the state if his party’s alliance wins the upcoming elections.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has decided to tie up with the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party ahead of the February 27 Assembly elections in the state.

Modi said his vision for North East India is “transformation by transportation”. “Connectivity is a huge challenge in Nagaland,” he said. “We are working relentlessly towards eliminating it. In less than four years, we have added 500 km of National Highways. We have also planned to invest more than Rs 10,000 crore in the roads of Nagaland.”

He said his government was giving special priority to the region. “We have approved construction of 8,500 houses in Nagaland,” Modi said, adding that his government had given the state Rs 160 crore to construct new houses and complete building ones under old housing schemes.

Later on Thursday, the prime minister addressed a rally in poll-bound Meghalaya’s Phulbari town. Taking on the ruling Congress, Modi said it was time to bring a change in Meghalaya. “The ruling party has taken you for granted since they see no political challenge in the state,” he said. “Give us a chance to serve the state. The current government has wasted your 50 years.”

He said the Congress government has never been accountable to the state, but the BJP will always remain answerable to the people of the state. He claimed that the Centre had approved the construction of 21,000 houses in Meghalaya and had also provided Rs 100 crore to the government. “But they were unable to build the required number of houses,” he added.

Modi said it was time for the lotus [the BJP’s symbol] to bloom in Meghalaya. The previous governments had not made any efforts to strengthen the tourism potential of the state, he said. “We will ensure more and more tourists arrive here. This will generate income opportunities for people,” Modi said. The prime minister also added that the Centre is looking at spending around Rs 180 crore for building of new Shillong airport.