Aizawl: Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Monday (October 23) said that he would not share the stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he visits the state for campaigning ahead of the Assembly elections. The Prime Minister is likely to visit Mamit town in the western part of the state on October 30 to campaign for the BJP candidates. CM Zoramthanga cited the Manipur violence and alleged that hundreds of churches were burned by the people belonging to the Meitie community and therefore, siding with the BJP will be “a big minus point” his party MNF.
“The people of Mizoram are all Christians. When the people of Manipur (Meities) burned hundreds of churches in Manipur, they were (Mizos) totally against that kind of idea. To have sympathy with the BJP at this time will be a big minus point for my party,” the Chief Minister said in an interview with BBC News.
"It will be better if the prime minister comes alone and he shares the platform by himself, and I take the stage separately by myself," he added.
MNF is a part of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) and also an NDA ally at the Centre. However, party does not work with the BJP in Mizoram.
Zoramthanga said that his party MNF joined the NDA and NEDA as it is completely against the Congress and he does not want to be a part of any alliance led by the grand-old party.
CM on giving shelter to people of neighbouring countries and Manipur
While talking about giving shelter to the people from Myanmar, Bangladesh and Manipur, the Chief Minister said that the state government is following the Centre’s footsteps and providing them food and shelter on humanitarian grounds.
"The Indian government helped the refugees from the erstwhile East Pakistan and even armed them to attain independence. We don't arm the refugees from Myanmar but we simply provide them food and shelter on humanitarian grounds," he said.
Over 40,000 people from Myanmar, Bangladesh and Manipur have taken shelter in Mizoram.
Zoramthanga said that it was the responsibility of the Centre to restore peace in Manipur so that people can return to their respective places in the state which is currently reeling under sporadic ethnic violence since May this year.
Mizoram will go to polls for 40-member assembly on November 7, and the results will be declared on December 3.
(With PTI inputs)
ALSO READ | Mizoram Assembly Election 2023: PM Modi to address public rally in poll-bound state on October 30
ALSO READ | Mizoram Assembly Elections: 174 candidates in fray for polls in northeastern state, says official
