Kolasib: Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Lal Thanzara on Thursday accused the Mizo National Front (MNF) and the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) of misleading the public with unfulfilled promises and contradictions between their political commitments and governance.
Addressing a political session organised by the Kolasib Block Congress Committee in Kolasib town, Lal Thanzara said politics was closely linked to faith and that political leaders must uphold truthfulness and integrity.
“Politics involves God, and even the Bible says that rulers exist under God’s authority. We must first acknowledge that God is involved in politics,” he said, adding that dishonesty and deception had no place in public life.
Targeting the MNF, Lal Thanzara referred to former chief minister and party president Zoramthanga’s statement that there was no old news in politics. He argued that past events and political promises must be recalled when assessing a party’s credibility.
He alleged that the MNF had misled people during its campaign by making claims about Mizoram’s 1966 independence movement, including an assertion that the United Nations would recognise Mizoram if its national flag was flown for 24 hours.
Questioning the MNF’s election promises, he cited its commitment to provide an additional Rs 3 lakh to beneficiaries of the New Land Use Policy (NLUP), who had earlier received over Rs 1 lakh under the Congress government.
He asked how many people in Kolasib had actually received the promised assistance during the MNF’s tenure. He also accused the party of failing to deliver on promises to improve roads and eliminate traffic congestion in Aizawl.
“Can we still trust Pu Zoramthanga and the MNF he leads to govern our state again? I am not criticising them simply because they are our political opponents. What I have said is the truth,” he said.
Turning to the ruling ZPM, Lal Thanzara questioned Chief Minister Lalduhoma’s promise to eliminate VIP culture, alleging that preferential treatment continued and citing the chief minister’s vehicle being caught in traffic congestion at Chawlhmun.
He also questioned the chief minister’s earlier commitments to avoid holding multiple portfolios and relinquish the position of party president, alleging that subsequent developments contradicted those assurances.
Lal Thanzara further accused the government of allowing excessive interference in departmental affairs, claiming that the practice of awarding works through departments had adversely affected the state’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue. He alleged that more than 1,000 contracts had been awarded through restricted tenders.
On the government’s anti-corruption promises, he cited the Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC) parking tender controversy, alleging that contracts had been awarded to preferred bidders despite lower bids being offered by others.
He also referred to the sale of land near the airport, which he said was being challenged in the High Court, and expressed confidence that further details would emerge during the proceedings.
Questioning the implementation of the Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission, Lal Thanzara alleged that a programme intended to support economically disadvantaged farmers and labourers was being diverted to benefit influential individuals, including the chief minister.
He said the scheme provided selected rubber growers with free saplings and government assistance for land preparation, clearing, planting and plantation maintenance. He argued that the participation of influential individuals in a programme designed for economically weaker sections undermined its intended purpose.
Contrasting this with the Congress government’s implementation of NLUP, Lal Thanzara said assistance had been distributed to beneficiaries on several occasions without including any Congress MLA or minister among the recipients.
Expressing confidence in his party’s electoral prospects, the MPCC president said the Congress was preparing to return to power in the 2028 Assembly elections.
“By God’s grace, we intend to form the government in 2028. If we remain worthy of God’s blessings, I firmly believe that a Congress government will be formed to protect our state, our people and our faith,” he said.
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