Guwahati: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who on Monday started the election campaign for his party in poll-bound Mizoram, launched a blistering attack on the Narendra Modi government and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modu is more interested in what is happening in Israel than in Manipur.
Addressing a large public rally after a “padyatra” in Aizawl, Mr Gandhi accused the BJP of destroying Manipur. He said that the government is concerned more about Israel and not at all about Manipur.
He said, “Some months ago, I went to Manipur. The idea of Manipur has been destroyed by the BJP. It is no longer a state, but two states. People have been murdered, women have been molested and babies have been killed but the PM doesn't find it important to travel here...It's amazing to me that the government and the prime minister are showing interest in what is happening in Israel but not interested at all in what is happening in Manipur.”
He went on saying that the idea behind the Congress party's ‘Bharat Jodo' campaign was to promote mutual respect, tolerance, learning from others' ideas, languages, and religions, and embracing love as a unifying force.
“However, this is the idea that the BJP is currently challenging as they target different communities, religions, languages, and cultures, promoting violence, arrogance, and a lack of understanding,” he alleged. “This stance is entirely contrary to the idea of India that we hold dear—one that values respect for all and the protection of everybody,” he added.
The Congress leader said that the people of Mizoram are gentle, kind, affectionate and represent powerful values in the 21st century.
Mr Gandhi also targeted ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) accusing them of following the footprint of the BJP and pursuing their agenda in the state.
Soon after his arrival, Mr Gandhi led a massive 'padyatra' (foot march) from Aizwal’s Chanmari area to Treasury Square, where he was greeted by a crowd of Congress supporters and the public.
Later during the day, he is also scheduled to hold an hour-long interaction with students in the evening.
On Tuesday morning, he will meet Congress leaders of the state. He will then travel to Lunglei and address a public meeting before flying back to Delhi via Agartala.
Meanwhile political parties, churches, civil society organisations and student bodies have urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to reschedule the vote counting date as it falls on Sunday, which is a sacred day for the Christian community of the state. It is significant that Christians account for around 87 percent of Mizoram's population, according to the 2011 census.
The ruling Mizo Political National Front (MNF) and main opposition party Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) have already announced the names of their candidates for all 40 seats.
Congress said that it will also contest all the seats and is likely to release the candidate list during Mr Gandhi's visit. The BJP said that it will announce the names of its candidates for 40 assembly seats in the next two to three days. The 40-member Mizoram assembly will vote in a single phase on November 7.
