Aizawl: Exuding confidence that the Congress will bounce back to power in Mizoram, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that the people of Mizoram understand what is being done in the state, and termed the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) and Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) as “instruments” for the RSS and BJP to enter the Christian-majority Mizoram.
“It is quite clear that the people of Mizoram understand what is being done. The real question is do you want RSS to control Mizoram? RSS has two ways of controlling Mizoram. One is the ZPM and the other is MNF. The people of Mizoram understand that very clearly. That is why I am confident that the Congress party will do very well,”
“We defeated the BJP in Karnataka. We will defeat the BJP in Telangana. We will decimate the BJP in Madhya Pradesh. We will defeat the BJP in the Chhattisgarh election. We defeated the BJP in Rajasthan last time, and this time, we will defeat them again. We plan to do the same in the Northeast. Nobody should underestimate the idea of Congress,” Gandhi said while interacting with journalists in Aizawl on Tuesday.
Elections to the 40-member Mizoram Legislative Assembly will be held on November 7 and counting of votes on December 3 (Sunday).
“No matter what they say, the ZPM and MNF are instruments for the BJP and RSS to enter the state. The Congress can never be an instrument for the BJP to enter because we are ideologically complete against the BJP. The Congress party is ideologically opposed to the RSS and BJP. We have fought them since 1920 when the RSS was born,” Gandhi said.
Exhorting young voters of Mizoram to think about the attack on the culture and religion, the Congress leader said, “This election is about defending the idea of Mizoram. It is about protecting your freedom, tradition and religion. Please ensure that the BJP’s game is foiled.”
“The youngsters of Mizoram have to understand two things the most important thing for you is employment and social security and health programmes that protect you and as important as that is to defend your culture, religion and the idea of Mizoram which is being attacked in the state (Manipur) next to you. Manipur has been attacked by the BJP using local parties so it is something that you keep in mind,” he said.
“Different states in the northeast are facing attacks from the BJP and RSS, threatening the foundations of your religious beliefs. RSS holds the belief that India should be governed by a single ideology and organization. This is precisely what we are opposing,” Gandhi added.
The Congress leader also promised old age pension of Rs 2,000 per month, gas cylinders at Rs 750 and economic empowerment for entrepreneurs if the Congress comes to power in Mizoram, which is going to Assembly polls on November 7.
“Unemployment among the youth is a major reason for the drug menace in Mizoram. We will focus on providing employment opportunities to the youth of Mizoram and our aim is to deliver holistic development,” the Congress leader added.
