Aizawl: In an interaction with media personnel at Hotel Regency on Friday, Jairam Ramesh, Rajya Sabha MP, and AICC General Secretary, made striking statements regarding the political landscape in Mizoram.
Ramesh boldly proclaimed that voting for the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) equates to supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), emphasising that the MNF, BJP, and ZPM are akin to two sides of the same coin.
He elaborated further, suggesting that both ZPM and MNF would align with the BJP, and criticised them for their perceived associations. Ramesh asserted that true freedom from hate and divisive politics could only be achieved by voting for Congress.
Launching into a critique of the BJP’s policies, Ramesh highlighted concerns about the threat posed to the Northeast’s diverse way of life by the BJP’s campaigns promoting one national language, religion, and tax system. He condemned what he perceived as the BJP’s attempts to impose artificial uniformity, arguing that it undermines the essence of India.
Regarding the Manipur ethnic conflict, Ramesh criticised Prime Minister Modi’s absence from the region for the past eleven months. He contended that under Congress rule, such conflicts would not escalate, attributing the situation to what he termed as “deliberately engineered violence” perpetuated by the BJP.
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Ramesh cautioned against the Modi government’s legislative agenda, expressing apprehensions about amendments to the Forest Conservation Act that could lead to deforestation across the Northeast.
When questioned about the Congress’ prospects in Mizoram, particularly after its defeat in the 2023 state assembly elections, Ramesh stressed the difference between state and parliamentary elections. He urged voters to prioritise national issues, emphasising the importance of protecting Article 371G for the people of Mizoram.
Also Read | Over 8.5 lakh voters to cast ballots for Mizoram Lok Sabha seat