Mizoram: Union Defence Minister to Campaign in Poll-Bound State Tomorrow

NEW DELHI: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday is set to embark on a campaign visit to Mizoram in preparation for the forthcoming assembly elections scheduled for November 7, as confirmed by a senior BJP leader.

State BJP spokesperson F Lalremsangi informed a news agency that Minister Rajnath Singh will engage with the public in Mamit, situated in the western part of Mizoram bordering Bangladesh and Tripura, as well as Siaha in the southern region.

Notably, Speaker of the outgoing assembly, Lalrinliana Sailo, and former excise minister Dr. K Beichhua are contesting on BJP tickets from Mamit and Siaha, having recently transitioned from the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) to the saffron party.

While the BJP, with only one MLA in the previous assembly, has fielded candidates in 23 seats, predominantly in minority-dominated areas, the party's attention is keenly focused on garnering support from linguistic minority communities. This strategy aims to attract voters from the Chakma, Bru, Mara, and Lai communities, primarily residing in the southern part of the state.

The party's previous outing in the 2018 assembly polls saw them contesting 39 seats, and they secured victory in the Chakma-dominated Tuichawng constituency. In other developments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's planned campaign visit to Mamit on Monday was abruptly canceled by the party. However, no specific reasons were cited for this change.

Furthermore, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, initially slated to fill in for the Prime Minister, will not be making the trip, according to sources within the BJP. Last week, BJP President JP Nadda released the party's manifesto, outlining several promises, including a commitment to providing 33 percent reservation for women in government jobs and addressing the long-standing border dispute with Assam, among other pledges. He also addressed a rally in Chawngte, located in the Lawngtlai district.

In a separate campaign event, Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari addressed a public gathering in the Dampa constituency within Mamit district on Monday.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who has been appointed as the election in-charge for Mizoram, is currently stationed in the northeastern state, actively engaging with local communities. As the state gears up for the assembly elections, polling for the 40-member Mizoram assembly is scheduled for November 7, with votes set to be counted on December 3. The visit of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh underlines the BJP's determination to make significant inroads in the state's political landscape.

Also Read: Guwahati: Nitin Gadkari Promises US-Standard Roads for Northeast by 2024

Also Watch: