Shillong, July 14: AICC general secretary V. Narayanasamy, on a two-day visit to Meghalaya, today criticised the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre for its "anti-Northeast policy".

Narayanasamy, who is in-charge of Meghalaya and other states in the Northeast barring Assam, told reporters here that the Narendra Modi government had promised the people of the region many things before the Lok Sabha election but had "ignored and sidelined" it after coming to power.

He slammed the centre for withdrawing the special category status of the northeastern states and cutting funds for centrally sponsored schemes in the region.

Accusing the NDA government of trying to arm-twist the Congress-ruled states, Narayanasamy said, "Doing away with the special category status has created a lot of hurdles in the implementation of development projects in the region. The chief ministers from the region had sought an appointment with the Prime Minister more than three months ago but the Prime Minister has neither given the appointment nor taken any decision to review the situation and restore the status."

He alleged that the Centre was adopting anti-tribal policies and tried to communalise politics.

The AICC leader said the frequent visit of NDA ministers to the region had not yielded results because they could not take any decision since this power was completely with the Prime Minister.

Narayanasamy also attacked the NDA government over the deteriorating law and order in the region, especially the failure to find a solution to the Naga issue.

He said Modi had promised to solve the Naga issue within 18 months but it had not happenned. Rather, the NCSN (K) abrogated its ceasefire with the Centre. "There is no sign of finding a solution to the Naga issue. Instead of solving the problem, the Modi-led government is complicating the issue," he alleged.

Asked if the Congress wanted the Centre to hold talks with the NCSN (K), he said, "The Congress wants peace. We do not want to comment on this issue or suggest anything to the Modi-led government. It is the duty of the government to find a solution."

When it was pointed out that law and order had deteriorated in Congress-ruled Meghalaya with abductions becoming routine affairs, particularly in the Garo hills, Narayanasamy claimed that the Congress-led state government has been able to control insurgency and stray incidents took place because of the presence of splinter groups in the area.

On the internal bickering within the Congress Legislature Party in Meghalaya, he admitted the differences and asked party legislators to remain united.

"I will meet each MLA and hear their individual issues. We will try to solve the differences. We should work together with the government to fulfil the promises made to the people during the last Assembly elections," he said, adding that the recent victory of the Congress in the bypoll to the Chokpot Assembly seat was a good sign for the party.

Narayanasamy, who arrived here today and was accompanied by AICC secretary Vijay Laxmi Sadho, met ministers, party legislators and state leaders. Later, he interacted with each of the 30 Congress legislators to know their personal grievances.