GUWAHATI: Amid the high fever of poll campaigning in tiny bordering state of Mizoram, a matter that is being discussed widely of late is the criminal records of the candidates as mentioned in their affidavits filed before the Election Commission of India.
As being brought to the fore by two civil society organizations, all total nine notable candidates of the poll-bound political parties, including the Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, are facing criminal cases.
Along with the CM, another name that leads the team with criminal case records is the former chief minister Zoramthanga who presently heads the Mizo National Front (MNF).
As stated in a report of the Mizoram Election Watch (MEW) and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), the nine political leaders are recognized on the basis of the affidavits filed to the Election Commission by the aspirants. As the affidavits are being filled and filed by the candidates themselves, there can be no ground for this news to be fake.
Other political figures facing criminal charges are V Malsawmtluanga (Independent), Vl Zahawma Chawngthu (BJP), Rasik Mohan Chakma (MNF), Lalduhpuii (BJP), James Thanghmingmawia (Congress) and R Lalthangliana (MNF). Of these nine contestants, four are facing serious criminal cases.
Mizoram’s five-time Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla is striving for a victory for the third straight term. Mizoram Assembly polls slated for November 28 holds a great importance for both the Congress as well as the BJP, which has gone all out to saffronise the entire Northeast and Mizoram is the only state in the region that has unconquered by the party till date. On the other hand, Congress too going all out to keep the Party Flag flying high in the party’s last bastion in the Northeast.
Congress is contesting in all 40 constituencies of the state along with MNF. On the other hand, BJP is contesting in 39 constituencies.