Can Mizo nationalism override corruption allegations? That may decide Mizoram result

MNF banks on Mizo nationalism

The MNF is expected to again lean heavily on its claims of being a champion of ‘Mizo nationalism’. “The MNF was born out of Mizo nationalism in 1961, and this continues to be its foundation,” says MNF leader and Cabinet minister Robert Royte.

This time, the party will also be harnessing the emotive appeal of the Zoramthanga government sheltering Chin refugees from Myanmar, defying the directives of the Central government, despite being a part of the NDA at the national level; as well as of providing refuge to more than 12,000 internally displaced Kuki-Zomi people from Manipur. The Chins, Kuki-Zomis and the Mizos belong to the same Zo ethnic group, and the MNF has positioned itself as their leader.

In the run-up to the polls, MNF leaders have started bringing up the question of Greater Mizoram or the unification of territories inhabited by the Zo people.

At the same time, the MNF leadership says development is a big part of its agenda. “Despite Covid-19, the government did wonderful work in various sectors, like road development, health, tourism, sports, and welfare,” says Royte.

The MNF will also highlight its flagship Family Oriented Socio-Economic Development Policy, launched last year to give financial assistance to families to start or expand businesses. Deputy CM Tawnluia on Thursday said the MNF would continue with the scheme if voted to power, and that in the first phase, about 60,000 families were given assistance of Rs 50,000 each, while another 60,000 families received Rs 25,000 each in the next phase.

Their development claims are contested by the Opposition, with allegations of corruption.

The ZPM, for example, is emphasising economic interventions, with emphasis on assistance to farmers. This is significant as the ZPM vote base is believed to be largely urban.

ZPM working president K Sapdaga, who is contesting from the Aizawl North III constituency, says: “We will focus on uplifting farmers, who have been neglected all these years. The state government will fix a minimum support price (MSP) on selected crops, which will be the first of its kind in the state. Promotion of entrepreneurship for youths is another focus.”

Cong’s anti-BJP pitch

The Congress’s primary plank in the Christian-majority state is safeguarding the state’s interests against the BJP’s Hindutva push. While acknowledging that the BJP is not a primary contender in the state itself, Mizoram Congress president Lalsawta says the tendency of regional parties to tie up with parties in power at the Centre leaves the state vulnerable.

“The BJP and its allies have been trying to destroy secularism, and we cannot allow that. We are talking of the BJP nationally, which can try to control the state government through regional parties like the MNF and ZPM, which can be tempted easily by it,” he claims.

The Congress has stitched together a small ‘Mizoram Secular Alliance’, with two local parties – Mizoram People’s Conference (MPC) and the Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP). They will extend support to the national party but not contest on any seats.

Lalsawta underlines Mizoram’s debt – the RBI’s report on the state government’s Budget for 2022-2023 places Mizoram as having the highest debt-to-GDP ratio at 53.1% — and alleged financial mismanagement.

BJP counts on Modi factor

With 1 MLA, the BJP is a bit player in the state, but it received a boost recently with two senior MLAs — sitting Speaker Lalrinliana Sailo and K Beichhua — joining the party from the MNF. It is also focusing on allegations of corruption against the incumbent government.

“Modiji has given a lot of development funds, but these are not reaching the people because of corruption. First, we need to arrest this corruption… Our intention is to address the smuggling issue in the state, as well as provide jobs to all our farmers. We have the highest debt in the entire country because this state doesn’t produce anything,” says state BJP president Vanlalhmuaka.