The general secretary of BJP, Ram Madhav has declared that the BJP intends to contest the upcoming assembly polls in Mizoram alone. However, if it finds the support of like-minded parties, it may also form an alliance. The BJP plans to field its candidate on all the 40 assembly seats, said Ram Madhav while addressing the reporters in Aizawl yesterday.
Ram Madhav who is in charge of the northeast rubbished the claims of opposition calling Mizo National Front (MNF) “proxy” of the BJP. He said that the party is ready to contest against the MNF and the National People’s Party in the polls, although they are constituents of North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA).
BJP had formed NEDA in 2016 which is a coalition of other regional political parties of the northeast like Naga People’s Front, Sikkim Democratic Front, People’s Party of Arunachal, Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People’s Front. This could be a similar strategy of BJP to contest the elections opposite its allies and later form a coalition government post-elections just like it did in Meghalaya assembly elections earlier this year. In Meghalaya, the BJP contested against other NEDA constituents like the NPP and United Democratic Party but post-election, they formed a coalition government.
Accusing the ruling Congress party led by Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla which is in power since 10 years, he said that it is corrupt and inefficient.
He also said that despite the center initiated and funded several development projects in the state the ruling party was incapable in building basic infrastructure.
He promised to construct a four-lane highway across the state, linking both Myanmar and Bangladesh if BJP comes to power. The proposed highway would open the international market and east-west corridor for trade.
Referring subtly to the BJP’s stance on ‘beef-ban’, he stated that the BJP “respected” the food habits, distinct cultural and customs of the Mizos and their religion. He also promised that it will build engineering colleges at Lunglei and Champhai districts if the BJP is voted to power.
With inputs from NDTV