AIZAWL: In the Northeast’s last Congress-ruled state of Mizoram, the BJP is going all guns blazing to decimate the ruling Congress. Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla feels that money could play a key role in the BJP’s poll prospects.
He hinted that the BJP might try to cash in on the issue of the displaced Brus (Reangs) with “money power”, some 32,000 of who are lodged in six relief camps in neighbouring Tripura.
“I never wanted to spoil the voters with money because that is the worst thing in electioneering. I have rejected the offer of election funds from the AICC three-four times. We accepted nothing beyond our needs,” Thanhawla said.
He said any political party, which is anti-Mizos, would want to play on the issue of the Brus. “There are elements in the relief camps in Tripura responsible for the disturbance. I have been appealing to them (Brus) since 1997 not to leave Mizoram,” he said.
Some 40,000 Brus had fled Mizoram in 1997 in the wake of their clashes with the Mizos. As per an agreement which they had with the Central, Mizoram and Tripura governments in August this year, they were supposed to be repatriated by September 30. All arrangements were also made for that. However, as they raised some new demands, only 42 families returned to Mizoram.
The ethnic minorities of Mizoram, such as Brus, Chakmas, Lais and Maras, are in a majority in 11 of the state’s 40 Assembly segments. The BJP has set its sights on these seats. The Brus and the Chakmas are a mix of Hindus and Christians.
The BJP is an ally of Mizoram’s principal opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) in the non-Congress conglomerate of North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA). However, both are going it alone in Mizoram elections. The Congress alleged that the two parties had a tacit understanding.
Recently, BJP president Amit Shah exuded confidence that the people of Christian-majority Mizoram would celebrate this Christmas under a non-Congress government. Thanhawla had no issues. “We believe in the freedom of expression. Let him say what he wants to,” he said.
The three time CM and nine-time MLA is contesting from two seats – Serchip and Champhai South.
The Congress has been in power for two terms and Thanhawla claimed there was no wave against the party. Only the MNF feels there is anti-incumbency in the air, the CM said.
He was confident the Congress would better its 2013 tally of 34 seats. He said the defection of some “corrupt” Congress ministers and MLAs to other political parties besides the success of his government’s New Land Use Policy (NLUP) would help the Congress retain power. Under NLUP, Rs.1 lakh each is given to selected beneficiaries for a start up in agriculture and allied sectors.