AIZAWL:
High-pitched campaigning for the 25-member Mara Autonomous District Council (MADC) in southern Mizoram ended on the evening of May 3, with political leaders making last-minute efforts to woo voters.
Mizoram Pradesh Congress president Lalsawta, Union minister for minority affairs John Barla of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Mizoram minister Lalruatkima of Mizo National Front (MNF) and Zoram People’s Party working president K Sapdanga were among the key campaigners on the last day.
Mara council in Siaha district, one of the three autonomous district councils in Mizoram, will go to the polls on May 5. Besides the MADC, there are the Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC) and Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC), both located in the southern part of the state.
The MNF, which rules the state, is contesting from all the 25 seats. While the BJP, which is in power in the council, has fielded its candidates in 24 seats, the Congress has named 23 candidates.
The main opposition party Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) has fielded eight candidates in its electoral debut in any of the ADCs.
During a road show at Siaha, the headquarters of the ADC, Union minister Barla said that the Centre has moany projects lined up to improve education, livelihood and healthcare systems in the Council.
“There are a lot of schemes and projects under the Ministry of Minority Affairs for the development and welfare of people. Among those, I want to focus on education, healthcare, livelihood, and skill development training for educated unemployed youths. My ministry would make projects for the development of Mara people in this regard,” Barla said.
The Union minister said that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government will amend the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to strengthen and give more powers to the autonomous district councils in the country. The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution allows for greater political autonomy in some tribal areas in the Northeast.
Addressing a political rally at Siaha on Tuesday, K Sapdanga said, “Even though this will be the first time we are contesting in Mara ADC, we have many reasons to be optimistic.”
“ZPM promises change in Mizoram,” he said, calling upon the Mara people to vote for ZPM candidates and be part of the change.
Addressing a street campaign at Siaha on Tuesday, state Congress president Lalsawta said Indian National Congress is a pro-minority party.
“In 1952, when the Mizo District Council was created under Assam, the then India Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru came to Mizoram (then Lushai Hills) to witness the birth of the district council. Has Narendra Modi ever come here during his eight years in office?” he asked.
“The BJP, on the other hand, is suppressing and intimidating minorities in India. Taking advantage of the people’s poverty, the BJP is using money power to buy your votes. Be alert and show them that your free choice cannot be bought,” he said.
In the last elections to Mara ADC in 2017, Congress bagged 17 seats and formed the government.
In 2019, the Congress merged with BJP to form a new BJP council.