Introduction
Mizoram, a tranquil state in India's northeastern region, is preparing for a significant political showdown as it gears up for the upcoming assembly elections scheduled for November 7, 2023. With both the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unveiling their election strategies, the state is set to witness a fiercely contested battle for power.
The Past and Present Political Landscape of Mizoram
Mizoram's political landscape has witnessed a significant transformation in recent years. In 2018, the Mizo National Front (MNF) emerged victorious in the state elections, securing a clear majority of 26 out of 40 seats. The MNF formed an alliance with the BJP to secure power. This partnership reshaped the political dynamics in the state, as up to that point, the seat of power had been dominated by the MNF and the Congress. It marked the beginning of the BJP's entry into Mizoram's politics.
Previous elections results
The Congress's vision for Mizoram
Jairam Ramesh, a prominent Congress leader, has unveiled the party's vision for Mizoram. He announced the Congress's intention to introduce a new Bill aimed at safeguarding the state's land, forests, and tribal rights if the party secures power in the upcoming elections.
One of the central pillars of Congress's election strategy is to protect Mizoram's natural resources and tribal heritage. Ramesh criticized the BJP for purportedly amending the Forest Conservation Act and claimed that the proposed Bill would secure the region's forests and tribal rights.
The Congress's manifesto for the Mizoram elections is packed with last ditch attempts into wooing the Mizo public. They pledge to make LPG cylinders more affordable, with a price of Rs 750, reinstate a pension scheme providing a monthly payout of Rs 2,000, and offer health insurance coverage of up to Rs 15 lakh.
BJP's Vision for Mizoram
The Bharatiya Janata Party has also unveiled an ambitious and comprehensive election manifesto, outlining its vision for the state. The party's promises and plans encompass various sectors, reflecting their commitment to Mizoram's development.
One of the flagship programs in the BJP's manifesto is the "Mission EDU Upgrade," which has a budget of ₹250 crore. This mission is focused on improving government schools and colleges with state-of-the-art facilities, emphasizing the importance of education in the state's progress.
In the sports sector, the BJP promises to establish a Mizoram sports academy with full funding. They also plan to offer scholarships to aspiring athletes and concentrate on developing sports like football, wrestling, hockey, weightlifting, and badminton. Additionally, they aim to launch the Mizoram Olympic mission, which is expected to bolster the state's presence on the national and international sports stage.
The BJP's commitment to the health sector is reflected in their promise to collaborate with the central government to upgrade Zoram Medical College to the regional institute of medical sciences. They also pledge to double the family annual health insurance coverage under Ayushman Bharat, thereby providing better healthcare access to the citizens.
Women's empowerment is another aspect of the BJP's manifesto. They aim to introduce a women empowerment scheme, providing financial assistance of ₹1.5 lakh to every girl child. Additionally, the BJP has promised to provide 33% reservation for women in government jobs, a move aimed at increasing gender equality and women's participation in the workforce.
The BJP's Mizoram Urban Infrastructure Development Mission focuses on ensuring reliable electricity, renewable energy, urban connectivity, and improved roads. Siaha, a town in Mizoram, will be included as an aspirational district in collaboration with the central government. Furthermore, the party plans to launch the Mizoram Rural Infrastructure Development Mission, with a budget of ₹950 crore, to facilitate holistic village development.
The party's commitment to agriculture is highlighted by its pledge to increase annual financial assistance for farmers under the PM KISAN Yojana from ₹6,000 to ₹8,000. They also aim to introduce the Mizo Agri Infra Mission with a ₹1,000 crore investment to enhance agricultural infrastructure, which is a crucial sector for the state's economy.
The BJP promises to establish a special investigation team to probe irregularities and corruption in the implementation of the Socio-Economic Development Policy (SEDP) scheme, reflecting their commitment to transparency and accountability.
In addition, the party intends to collaborate with the central and Assam governments to resolve the long-standing border dispute in the region. This initiative is significant for ensuring stability and security in the border areas. They also plan to revamp Mizoram's tourism brand with a ₹250 crore corpus, aiming to boost the state's tourism sector and its economic prospects.
Congress and BJP
In the lead-up to the elections, both the Congress and the BJP have engaged in political rhetoric and exchanged accusations. The Congress has wrongly accused the BJP of initially criticizing its allies and later extending support to them.
Jairam Ramesh, Congress's general secretary, has urged the people of the northeast not to vote for regional parties like the Mizo National Front (MNF) and Zoram People's Movement (ZPM), as he claims that doing so effectively amounts to voting for the BJP. But, unlike the Congress, the BJP has adopted a more vocal stance when it comes to holding its allies accountable and has consistently spoken up for what it deems right or wrong. Instead of always giving them a free chit.
Rahul Gandhi's Critique of BJP
During his recent visit to Mizoram, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the BJP, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He criticized Modi for not visiting Manipur since the outbreak of ethnic violence on May 3. Only visiting a state won’t solve its problems. While symbolically it may mean a lot but, by working to solve that issue entirely, the BJP is doing what the Congress never did: the important task of helping the North-Eastern people without going to their homes and giving them empty promises.
The expulsion of illegal migrants and reducing the insurgency in the NE region is of prime importance to BJP and the PM. While Congress has had a record of staying silent on issues of importance to the National Security, the BJP has spoken out against the issues plaguing the North-Eastern society and thus aid in the insurgency.
Conclusion
As the clock ticks down to the November 7 assembly elections in Mizoram, it is clear that the state is at a critical juncture in its political journey. The battle for power between the Congress and the BJP has intensified.
As the election date approaches, the people of Mizoram will be the ultimate judges of the promises made by these political parties. They will decide who they believe can lead the state toward a brighter and more prosperous future.
The fate of Mizoram, a state known for its natural beauty, rich culture, and diverse communities, now rests in the hands of its voters. The election results will not only shape the destiny of this tranquil northeastern state but will also resonate across the political landscape of the region, making it a crucial event in the political journey of Mizoram and the larger Indian political arena.
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