Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday made a passionate appeal to the people of Mizoram to support his party in the forthcoming assembly elections, emphasising the Congress's commitment to peace, stability, and the preservation of Mizo culture and way of life. In a video message and a post on social media platform X, Kharge urged voters to choose the Congress over the incumbent MNF-BJP coalition, which has been in power in the state. He cited the historical ties between the Congress and Mizoram, pointing out that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi signed the landmark Mizo accord in 1986, leading to statehood in 1987.
Kharge asserted that successive Congress governments have played a vital role in maintaining peace, stability, tribal culture, identity, and secularism in Mizoram. He highlighted the youth's desire for education and employment, contrasting it with what he described as a culture of corruption under the MNF-BJP government.
In his message, Kharge asserted, "It is the Congress party which brought peace and stability in Mizoram." He highlighted the historical significance of the Mizo accord signed by Rajiv Gandhi and its role in securing statehood for Mizoram. He further noted, "Successive Congress governments have ensured peace, stability, tribal culture, identity, and secularism in Mizoram."
He then criticised the current state of affairs under MNF rule, stating, "Today, under the MNF rule, the infrastructure of the state is in shambles." Kharge pointed out that the youth in Mizoram aspire to receive education and employment opportunities and lamented the perceived prevalence of corruption under the MNF-BJP coalition.
The Congress president went on to accuse the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP of attempting to undermine Mizo culture, values, religion, and way of life. He alleged that the Narendra Modi government aims to take away land and forests and hand them to crony associates.
"RSS-BJP are hell-bent on destroying your culture, values, religion and the Mizo way of life. Modi Govt wants to take your Land and Forests and gift that to their crony friends," he remarked.
"BJP created division between people of Manipur and the state has been burning for 6 months. Thousands of tribal people from Manipur had to seek refuge in Mizoram. BJP wants to destroy the delicate social fabric of the North East," he further stressed.
The Congress leader outlined seven guarantees that his party intends to fulfill in Mizoram. These commitments include creating job opportunities, strengthening local democracy, providing health insurance coverage of Rs 15 lakh and special care for cancer patients, granting a monthly old age pension of Rs 2,000, offering subsidised LPG cylinders at Rs 750, and providing Rs 2,000 in monthly assistance to widows and disabled individuals.
Kharge concluded his message by urging voters to support the Congress and ensure prosperity for the people of Mizoram. He emphasised the party's symbol, the 'Hand,' which he said has a track record of ensuring security, stability, and service. He urged voters to choose wisely and avoid supporting those who may ultimately align with the BJP.
The assembly polls in Mizoram are scheduled for November 7, and the Congress is aiming to replace the incumbent MNF-BJP coalition in power.
The assembly polls in Mizoram are scheduled for November 7, and the Congress aims to replace the incumbent MNF-BJP coalition in power. The election is expected to be closely contested, and Kharge's appeal underscores the significance of the political landscape in the region.
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