This is an archive article published on October 28, 2023
As Modi’s Mizoram visit is cancelled, Congress links it to PM giving Manipur a miss
Modi, who is the first in the list of star campaigners the BJP has submitted to the Election Commission of India, was scheduled to address a poll rally in Mamit, around 80 km from Aizawl, on October 30.
As Modi’s Mizoram visit is cancelled, Congress links it to PM giving Manipur a miss
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not be visiting poll-bound Mizoramnext week as per schedule, leading the Congress to allege this is because he has not visited neighbouring Manipur since violence broke out there nearly six months ago.
Modi, who is the first in the list of star campaigners the BJP has submitted to the Election Commission of India, was scheduled to address a poll rally in Mamit, around 80 km from Aizawl, on October 30.
Mizoram BJP president Vanlalhmuaka confirmed that this visit is no longer taking place: “From what I have been told, it is because he has other engagements.”
Vanlalhmuaka said that while Home Minister Amit Shah is still expected to visit the state, he has not been informed of when that will be and which part of Mizoram Shah will visit.
“The Prime Minister was supposed to address a public meeting at the GSA playground in Mamit; we are continuing preparations to hold a rally there,” he said.
Mamit is one of the biggest focus areas for the BJP in the upcoming elections, for which voting will take place on November 7. The BJP does not have a strong presence in Mizoram and has only ever won one seat in state elections – from the Tuichawng constituency. Still struggling to find acceptability among the predominantly Christian Mizos, the party is targeting areas with sizeable members of the minority Bru and Chakma communities, such as the three constituencies in Mamit district.
The violence in Manipur has resonance in Mizoram since the Mizos and the Kuki-Zomis of Manipur share a common ethnicity and there has been strong support for the latter, both from the Mizo National Front government and the Mizo civil society.
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“The Prime Minister was to address an election rally in Mizoram on October 30. But now there are reports that he has cancelled his visit. Could it be because questions would be raised that he had not found time to visit the deeply troubled neighbouring state that has been on the deep edge for almost 180 days… with what face, would he go to the rally in Mizoram?” said Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, who is currently on a visit to Mizoram.
MNF vice-president Lalthlengliana said Modi’s visit would have hardly helped the BJP. “They hardly have a presence in more than three or four constituencies and even in those it will be hard for them,” he said.
Sukrita Baruah is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Guwahati. From this strategic hub, she provides comprehensive, ground-level coverage of India's North East, a region characterized by its complex ethnic diversity, geopolitical significance, and unique developmental challenges.
Expertise and Experience
Ethnic & Social Dynamics: Deep-dive coverage of regional conflicts (such as the crisis in Manipur) and peace-building efforts.
Border & Geopolitics: Tracking developments along India’s international borders and their impact on local communities.
Governance & Policy: Reporting on state elections, tribal council decisions, and the implementation of central schemes in the North East.
Specialized Education Background: Prior to her current role, Sukrita was a dedicated Education Correspondent for The Indian Express in Delhi. This experience provided her with a sharp analytical lens for:
Policy Analysis: Evaluating the National Education Policy (NEP) and university-level reforms.
Student Affairs: Covering high-stakes stories regarding campus politics, national entrance exams, and the challenges within the primary and secondary education sectors. ... Read More
