Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, of the Mizo National Front (MNF), is confident of winning the upcoming elections in Mizoram, citing the ongoing ethnic unrest in neighboring Manipur as a reason for his optimism. Zoramthanga has been holding street corner meetings in his constituency, Aizawl East 1, where he has been discussing the issue of ethnic unrest in Manipur.
Zoramthanga, 79, has provided shelter to thousands of internally displaced Chin-Kuki tribes from Manipur and has openly opposed the BJP government in Manipur led by Chief Minister N Biren Singh. Despite being an ally of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Zoramthanga has sheltered around 40,000 refugees from Myanmar due to his familial ties with the Chin-Kuki tribes.
“We are not a partner with the BJP in the election. We are only a member of the NDA in the center, not in the state. Our stand on the Manipur issue is a big, big plus point in this election,” Zoramthanga said, emphasizing his party’s stance on the Manipur issue.
In the previous assembly election in 2018, the MNF won 27 out of 40 seats, projecting Zoramthanga as the “guardian of the Chin-Kuki-Zo tribes.” However, his rivals and other parties, such as the BJP, have accused him of corruption, failing to address rising unemployment and drug trafficking, and neglecting infrastructure development.
“The Manipur crisis has shown us what the BJP is all about,” said Mizoram Congress chief Lalsawta, highlighting the impact of the Manipur issue on the Mizoram election.
Zoramthanga, a former member of a Mizo insurgent group that declared independence from India in 1966, expressed confidence in forming the government comfortably, even if the BJP fights against them alone. He also criticized the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), stating that they are not an organized party and are associated with a party that supports the Meiteis in Manipur.
In terms of policies, Zoramthanga pledged to maintain prohibition if his party is voted into power and claimed that they will confidently form the government on their own.
The ZPM chief, Lalduhoma, criticized the MNF’s long-standing governance and stated that people are eager for change and an end to corruption.
The Mizoram election is eagerly anticipated, with the Manipur crisis playing a significant role in shaping the political landscape of the state.
