Aizawl : Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga has dared the BJP to initiate probe the alleged scam in the Socio-Economic Development Programme (SEDP), the flagship programme of the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) government.
“Let them (BJP) come to power first and investigate. But I don’t think they will do it because everything is recorded and all beneficiaries received money in their accounts,” he said.
“The government has securely deposited SEDP funds into beneficiaries’ bank accounts, minimizing the chances of misappropriation,” the three-time Chief Minister asserted.
In its party’s manifesto, the BJP pledged to establish a special investigation team to probe the “irregularities and corruption” in the implementation of the SEDP.
Exuding confidence that MNF would retain power, the seasoned politician however admitted that the anti-incumbency factor may impact the prospects of the MNF in a few constituencies.
“We need 21 seats to form the government. My expectation that we will win at least 25 or even more. The feedback from the ground gave me the confidence that the MNF would form the government again,” the MNF Chief said.
Elections to the 40-member Mizoram Legislative Assembly will be held on November 7 and counting of votes on December 3.
Zoramthanga sees that the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), which is led by Lalduhoma, a former IPS officer-turned politician, as the main political opponent in the elections.
“The ZPM would be lucky to improve upon its 2018 performance but they are a khichdi organisation that has internal problems. They would be lucky if they could cross the 10-seat mark,” the Chief Minister said.
On MNF’s alliance with the BJP, Zoramthanga said, “We have our principle and BJP has its but we have to act according to the Constitution since we all come under one administration. We oppose any issue that is against the interest of the Mizos or against our ideology, such as the Uniform Civil Code.”
“I am a “I am one of the founders of the NDA during the time of AB Vajpayee and LK Advani, long before some of the present BJP top leaders were in the party,” he added.
Reiterating that Zo unification’ would play a big role in the November 7 elections to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly, Zoramthanga said, “We are from the same family (Chins from Myanmar and Kuki-Zos from Manipur). The Zo people of Manipur have suffered since ethnic violence broke out on May 3 in that State. We have sided with them because they are our brothers. The people of Mizoram and Manipur are in favour of the MNF’s return to power.”
“If some other national party forms the government in Mizoram, it will be troublesome for our brothers and sisters from Manipur who are staying in Mizoram,” he opined.
Defending his government decision to defy Delhi’s order to collect the biometrics of the Myanmar nationals (read as Chins from Myanmar) displaced by a military coup and taking shelter in Mizoram since February 2021, the Mizo political stalwart said, “.. such collection is unnecessary and could intimidate the refugees. Moreover, we had very little time as the elections were drawing near.”
