Benjamin Yepthomi officially took charge of the office of State Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) as the 11th President on Thursday here at BJP Headquarter, Kohima.

A handing taking ceremony was organised for the outgoing President Temjen Imna Along and the new President Benjamin Yepthomi. The ceremony was attended by BJP Legislature Party leader Y. Patton, BJP Legislators and party workers.

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State BJP President Benjamin Yepthomi asserted that under his presidentship Nagaland will witness a new era. “I will ensure that in all nook and corner we will work hard and give our utmost dedication to the party,” said Yepthomi.

While thanking the central, state leaders and party workers, Yepthomi also emphasized on the need to uphold the best interest of the people and the society. He encouraged the party to be a party that inspires one another, united on all fronts and a party that is strengthened from the grassroot to the top.

Yepthomi also pledged to be a President who seeks not to divide, but to unify the party in every platform. “I will not make promises today but I assure you that I will be the first one to enter the field with you all and I will be the last one to leave,” said Yepthomi adding that, he will be a leader that is ‘accessible’ and ‘compassionate’.

Further, he urged the party workers to work hard and ensure that the party setup is strengthened at the booth level mentioning this as the first assignment for them. He also sought the support of all the party workers to continue working together with the mantra given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ” Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayaas.”

Outgoing state President Temjen Imna Along describing that Benjamin Yepthomi is the epitome of a Karyakarta, said the aspirations goes out throughout the nation and not only for Nagaland.

He said that Yepthomi has the calibre to take the saffron party to greater heights in Nagaland and extended full support of the BJP Legislators.

Assuring that he will be the bridge between the legislators and the party workers, Along said, “our legislators are very busy in their own execution of their departmental works and of their public and they have their own responsibilities, but the party works in a very holistic manner in a very cohesive manner and in a very inclusive manner like our BLP leader Y Patton has said BJP cannot work only in the twelve constituencies BJP has to work in all the areas because there are party workers everywhere. So, to bridge that communication, I have to make my leaders understand and they should be there to assist, to help and to be in the forefront under the leadership of the state President to bring the development and prosperity to the last Karyakarta standing and to the last citizen standing.”

Deputy Chief Minister and BJP Legislature Party leader Y. Patton in his brief address asserted that the appointment of Benjamin Yepthomi demonstrates the great vision and wisdom BJP National President J.P. Nadda and the entire BJP Central Leadership.

Lauding Yepthomi as a former Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) President and State Vice President, Patton said it is his sincere hard work and rich experience that has made the party leadership repose faith in him for this new responsibility.

“His appointment is a testament to the BJP’s firm belief in rewarding dedicated karyakartas who have given their sweat and toil for the party’s growth and development,” said Patton.

He also exuded confident that under the guidance of the central leadership Yepthomi will lead Nagaland to new heights of success.

Patton also lauded the outgoing President Temjen Imna Along for his excellent leadership over the past two consecutive terms and said that under his guidance, the BJP in Nagaland has grown tremendously with a massive increase in party membership and successful elections.

“We had great performances in the elections under his leadership, even forming the successive governments comfortably in alliance with our NDPP partner. This shows how he tirelessly worked with dedication to strengthen the party’s foundations here. We will always remain indebted for his invaluable contributions in expanding the party’s footprints in the

state,” said Patton.

Read more: Benjamin Yepthomi appointed as new Nagaland State BJP President