AIZAWL: In a recent development, the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), the principal opposition party in the northeastern state of Mizoram, has declared that it will not seek an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to form a government following the upcoming assembly elections. This decision was articulated by K Sapdanga, the working president of ZPM, during a media interaction in Aizawl, Mizoram.
Sapdanga emphasized that ZPM is determined not to engage in a coalition government with the BJP under any circumstances, asserting their confidence in independently securing the next government in Mizoram.
Simultaneously, the BJP, which is contesting 23 out of the total 40 seats in Mizoram, has shown readiness to consider a post-election alliance with either the incumbent Mizo National Front (MNF) or the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), depending on which party secures the majority of seats in the assembly elections. Mizoram BJP president (in-charge), Vanupa Zathang, conveyed this position.
It is worth noting that the MNF is currently part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Nonetheless, the relationship between the BJP and MNF has soured in the run-up to the Mizoram assembly elections, with accusations from the Zoramthanga-led MNF of the BJP engaging in "divisive politics."
While expressing openness to alliances, the Mizoram BJP chief expressed the party's aspirations to independently establish the next government in the northeastern state.
Vanupa Zathang also commented on the ongoing election campaign in Mizoram, highlighting that the opposition's allegations of the BJP being an anti-Christian party have not been effective.
In a separate development, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused both the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) and the opposition Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) of acting as "unofficial agents" of the BJP in election-bound Mizoram. Kharge targeted the BJP's efforts to expand its influence in the predominantly Christian state.
He further criticized the BJP-RSS, asserting that they oppose diversity and aim to take tribal-owned land and forests for the benefit of their associates, jeopardizing the interests of the tribal population in Mizoram. Kharge emphasized that the people of Mizoram deserve peace, prosperity, and progress.
Kharge underlined the role of the Congress party in bringing peace to Mizoram, referencing the Peace Accord in 1986 and the subsequent attainment of statehood in 1987 under the leadership of Rajiv Gandhi. He stressed the Congress party's longstanding commitment to the progress of Mizoram.
Regarding the promises made by the Congress party in the run-up to the Mizoram assembly elections, Kharge affirmed their commitment to delivering on those pledges, aiming to bring welfare, inclusiveness, and economic security to the state.
ZPM has declared its refusal to form a coalition with the BJP in Mizoram, while the BJP remains open to potential alliances with the MNF or ZPM after the state assembly elections. Meanwhile, the Congress party criticizes both the MNF and ZPM for their alleged association with the BJP, emphasizing its commitment to Mizoram's peace and prosperity.
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