Mizoram Election: Manipur Violence Has BJP On Its Toes As Arson Of Churches Still Fresh In Voters' Memory

File Photo: Women take part in a candlelight vigil against the "killing" of two missing students by unknown miscreants and demand peace in Manipur, Imphal

Source : PTI

This week, while addressing an election rally in the Siaha district, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tried to distance the BJP from the Manipur violence by saying that the violence has not been done by any political party. He also appealed to both the Meiteis and Kuki-Zomis of Manipur to have a heart-to-heart conversation from the election rally.

The violence in the neighbouring state of Manipur has become a major factor in the state, as the Mizos share an ethnic bond with the Kuki-Zomis of Manipur. The saffron party, seen as a Hindutva party, has never been an important player in the Christian Mizo-dominated areas. The party also lacks an appealing Mizo face in the state, another reason for the party failing to get a foothold among the Mizo areas.

Nevertheless, the saffron party, banking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government’s welfare schemes and development projects, has gained a foothold in the areas having a sizable population of ethnic minorities. Contesting only 23 seats, it has set the target on these seats to increase its tally in the northeastern state.

Whether the BJP leadership accepts it or not, the fact is that the shadow of the Manipur violence has been a concern for the saffron party in the poll-bound state. The burning of churches in the BJP-ruled neighbouring state during the violence has been an important issue in the Christian-majority state. Among the ethnic minorities, barring the Buddhist Chakmas, the Maras, Brus, Hmars, and Lais are mostly Christians — and it is this fact that has been a worrying factor for the saffron party. Apart from this, the violence has diminished the saffron party’s popular slogan of a double-engine government. Rajnath Singh’s statement is a reflection of the saffron party leadership’s attempt to disconnect from the developments of Manipur violence, as the party is anxious that the violence may affect the party’s prospects in the Mizoram elections.

Sonia Gandhi’s Message Reiterates Congress Banking on Anti-BJP Sentiment In Mizoram

In a video message to the people of poll-bound Mizoram earlier this week, former Congress President Sonia Gandhi appealed not to experiment with the ruling Mizo National Front and the main Opposition Zoram People’s Movement and termed both the regional parties as gateways for the BJP into the state. The same narrative was pushed by Rahul Gandhi as well during his visit to the northeastern state last month. Just a day after Sonia’s video message, party president Mallikarjun Kharge, through a post on X, alleged that both the Mizo-based regional parties are "unofficial agents" of the BJP.

It is really puzzling that the grand old party, which has ruled the state for more than 20 years, is banking mostly on the anti-BJP sentiments, generated as a result of the Manipur violence, to regain its lost base. With the main contest turning into a binary between MNF and ZPM, Congress has been relegated to a third force. Not only this, after holding the post of the party president for five decades, veteran party leader Lal Thanhawla, who also held the post of chief ministership of the state for five terms, has resigned and his post has been given to Lal Sawta, who as of now hasn’t been successful in helping the party to regain its lost ground.

It is all these factors that forced the grand old party to focus mostly on the anti-BJP sentiments in its election campaign. Knowing that this isn’t likely to help much, as MNF and ZPM too are Mizo-based parties, the strategy of the grand old party has been to label both these regional parties as the agents of the Hindutva BJP before the majority Christian voters. The party believes that this campaign would at least help the party to gain some substantial votes and may help it to increase its seat tally. However, all these tactics of the grand old party reveal that it is even ready to sacrifice secularism to gain relevance in the Christian-majority northeastern state.

NPP Changes State President Ahead Of Lok Sabha Polls

The ruling party of Meghalaya, National People’s Party, recently changed its state president and appointed Prestone Tynsong, who is also the deputy chief minister of the state. He replaced WR Kharlukhi, who is also the party’s lone Rajya Sabha member. Kharlukhi had himself wanted to get relieved from the post — this was said by the party’s national president and state chief minister Conrad Sangma.

This replacement comes ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha polls to be held next year. Last time, the party was able to win only the traditional family bastion, the Tura Lok Sabha seat, where Conrad’s sister Agatha Sangma emerged victorious by getting more than 52% votes. In the other seat, the Shillong Lok Sabha seat, the NPP supported its ally United Democratic Party. However, the alliance failed to win the seat, with Congress’s Vincent H Pala, who polled more than 53% votes, securing an easy victory.

But this time, the ruling party is determined to field candidates for both the seats. The party wants to increase its presence in the Lok Sabha. With Congress weakening in the state, NPP senses an opportunity in the Shillong Lok Sabha seat. The battle isn’t going to be easy for the NPP. Apart from facing a challenge from the Congress, NPP is likely to face a challenge from the Regional Democratic Alliance formed by its two allies — UDP and Hill People’s State Democratic Party. UDP, with 12 legislators, is the second-largest party in the state assembly and also has 2 cabinet ministers in the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government, while HSPDP has 2 legislators and a minister in the state cabinet.

The author is a political commentator.

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