Aizawl : Senior Congress leader and MP, Sashi Tharoor is pinning hope with confidence that Mizoram will be the first state in the North East to bring back Congress to power.
The Congress leader also talked about the special provisions for Mizoram under Article 371G of the Constitution and expressed concern what if this special provisions will meet the same fate like the Article 370 (related to the then state of Jammu and Kashmir).
The Congress Lok Sabha MP from Kerala also said that the people of India in the next few months, will face the national elections which is about “saving India’s soul.”
“Mizoram was the last bastion of the Congress in the North East before the Assembly elections in 2018, and Mizoram will be the first state in the region that will bring back Congress to power (this time),” Tharoor said, while addressing a press conference at Aijal Club in Aizawl on Saturday.
Tharoor, who had interacted with several sections of the people, was confident that the Congress would be voted back to power in this election, and the Mizoram election on November 7 (Tuesday) would be crucial as it would reflect the Lok Sabha elections in 2024.
“For the people of Mizoram, it is a matter of protecting their cultures and religion as INC is the only national party that pledges to safeguard India’s unity in diversity. India has always celebrated difference, the Congress has always believed in the diversity of India. The BJP pushes an illusory idea of unity based on the notion of one religion and culture. We need to remember that uniformity is not unity,” Tharoor said.
Tharoor added that the people also need to remember that in a few months the whole country will face the national elections which is about “saving India’s soul.”
“The very idea of India is under threat. The time to end politics of hatred is here. The Uniform Civil Code is a ghostly apparition. The BJP has not shared any draft of the code with anyone. No one has seen a draft, we cannot support any law which threatens the culture and practices of many minorities and tribes of the country. Unity does not mean uniformity,” the Congress leader said.
Accusing the Zoram People’s Movement, an emerging third force, as an entry point for the BJP into Mizoram, Tharoor said, There is a new party on the horizon, but no one really knows who these people are, and how they will govern. Who is behind them? Who is financing them? A vote for ZPM will be a vote for BJP through the backdoor.”
“In these times it is better to vote for a tried and tested party that knows you and understands your needs. A party which has no unknown shadows is lurking in the back,” he added.
Stating that the BJP has constantly renegade on its promises, Tharoor raised a question of worry, saying, “when they (BJP) could get rid of Article 370, what stops them from getting rid of Article 371G (in Mizoram).”
“Corruption under BJP has soared which is easily visible in the Transparency index which is based on interviews with businessmen and taxpayers. The BJP has been using investigative agencies to their benefit,” he said.
Tharoor also alleged that Mizoram has suffered under an inefficient government for five years, and it is time to change, and it is important for the party in power to have people with experience to govern the state. He alleged that five years have been wasted under the MNF rule due to misgovernance, corruption and invisible development.
“The Congress has experienced people who are qualified and will ensure the overall well-being of the state. We are focused on quality money made and spent in Mizoram,” he said.
Congress is focussed on creating employment in the state where youth unemployment is around 23% which is very high and unacceptable.
“When we come to power, we will of course fill the current government job and vacancies but will also work towards creating an economy which encourages entrepreneurs,” he said.
The young entrepreneurs Elevate programme aims to give them a Leg up to start an enterprise. These will in turn create more employment for the state.
The Congress party also promised to provide a monthly stipend of Rs.2000 to widows and people with disabilities to ensure a basic dignity of life, besides a health coverage of Rs.15 lakh cashless insurance per family.
“Mizoram has one of the highest per capita rates of cancer in the country, an additional Rs.5 crore for cancer and other serious ailments.
