Mizoram CM Refuses To Share Stage With PM Modi, Calls BJP 'Anti-Christian'

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• Oct 24, 2023 | Dhupali Das

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga made a bold statement on Monday, announcing his decision not to share the stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the...

Digital Desk: Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga made a bold statement on Monday, announcing his decision not to share the stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Prime Minister's upcoming campaign visit to the state for the ensuing assembly elections. PM Modi is scheduled to visit Mamit town in the western part of the state on October 30, where he plans to campaign for BJP candidates.

In an exclusive interview with BBC News, Chief Minister Zoramthanga articulated his concerns, stating, "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."

Expressing his preference for separate platforms, Zoramthanga declared, "It will be better if the prime minister comes along and he shares the platform by himself, and I take the stage separately by myself."

Mizoram's Mizo National Front (MNF) is a part of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) and an ally of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the national level. However, within the state of Mizoram, MNF does not collaborate with the BJP.

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Zoramthanga clarified that MNF's alliance with the NDA and NEDA stemmed from their strong opposition to the Congress party and their reluctance to join any alliance led by it. On the issue of providing shelter to people from Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Manipur, the Chief Minister affirmed that the Mizoram government's actions aligned with the policies of the central government.

"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 explained.

More than 40,000 individuals from Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Manipur have sought refuge in Mizoram. Zoramthanga emphasized that it is the responsibility of the central government to restore peace in Manipur, enabling these people to return to their native state.

Mizoram is set to hold its 40-member assembly elections on November 7, with the vote count scheduled for December 3. The decision by the Mizoram Chief Minister to distance himself from the Prime Minister's campaign visit has added a unique dimension to the political landscape ahead of the elections.