Mizoram’s youth future has been destroyed by Congress: Amit Shah

Aizawl: National President of BJP party Amit Shah on Tuesday during his visit in the poll-bound Mizoram on the same day when Congress president Rahul Gandhi arrived here for electioneering claimed that Congress has “destroyed the future of the state’s youth” in its two decades of power.

Shah addressing two election rallies in the state on Tuesday – one at Lawngtlai, coinciding with the release of the party’s election manifesto by party general secretary Ram Madhav here, and another at Vairengte. The pitch was the same – “inclusive” development aided by the Centre.

"The government led by PM Modi has been working hard for the development of the northeast. Union ministers have visited the region more than 200 times since the NDA came to power in Delhi," Shah said, emphasizing the amplified role the Centre would play if BJP takes over the reins of the state.

In Tuesday’s rallies and its election manifesto, too, the tightrope walk was apparent. “BJP promises to protect the interests of minorities in Mizoram, because of which they have placed their faith in Modi ji,” Shah said. “We want a secular and peaceful state, where all sections will develop together,” Shah added. On the same lines, Madhav, after releasing the manifesto at a concurrent event here, said, “We are committed to the unity of the Mizo society ... by which I do not differentiate between majority and minority. Whether it is Hmar, Chakma, Lai or Bru – all of them together constitute Mizoram. Our development will be for all people – for Mizos and for minorities.”

Besides promising to get the Mizo language included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution “with help from PM Modi”, support for all Mizo cultural and religious festivals and a Mizoram Development Council with all NGOs on board, the saffron party has promised to address the “needs and concerns” of the minorities with a special focus on the Brus.

Between Congress and Mizo National Front, Shah said, “corrupt rule has led to no infrastructure development.” In Mizoram, power has always changed hands between the two parties since 1987, when it was created.

“The Congress government in Mizoram has engaged in rampant misuse of central funds ... The only alternative for the people now is BJP,” Shah added.

Shah promised three engineering colleges, two medical colleges and three nursing training institutions in various parts of Mizoram. Also on the list of promises is a multi-speciality hospital in every district, a football stadium in every district headquarter of the powerhouse state and all-weather “pothole-free” roads within six months of coming to power. He further said the trans-boundary highway connecting Myanmar to Bangladesh would pass through Aizawl, “promoting trade, tourism and industry”.

Turning the “clean slate” it would start within Mizoram to its advantage, Shah cited the neighbouring northeastern states – six of which are either ruled by BJP or by a party in alliance with the saffron party. “Why can’t Mizoram be a part of the BJP family?” Shah said. He added, “States hit by militancy, bandhs and blockades are now witnessing unprecedented development under BJP.”

“Congress is no longer safe for Mizoram ... It is time they allowed people who are real well-wishers of Mizoram to take charge, not just the well-wishers of their brothers and party members,” Madhav said, taking a shot at Congress chief minister Lal Thanhawla who is said to be grooming his younger brother Lal Thanzara to take over the party leadership in the state. “Look at BJP with an open minad. Welcome us,” he signed off.