The Hindu : Front Page : Development versus graft-free governance in Mizoram

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Development versus graft-free governance in Mizoram

Special Correspondent

MNF, Congress, UDA gearing up for polls

Guwahati: The ruling Mizo National Front has made “development” it main poll plank to counter the Congress campaign of “corruption during MNF rule” in the December 2 Assembly elections in Mizoram.

“Our main poll plank is development and finishing the unfinished task that we initiated for development of Mizoram over the last 10 years,” Chief Minister and MNF president Zoramthanga told The Hindu.

Among the development initiatives being showcased by the MNF, which is seeking a third consecutive term, is the healthcare scheme. “No other State has such a unique healthcare scheme that covers the entire population,” said the former underground rebel leader-turned-politician.

The former Chief Minister and Pradesh Congress Committee president, Lalthanhawla, however, alleged rampant corruption and misuse of government funds. “The people are fed up with MNF rule because of rampant corruption and looting of the public exchequer” So we have promised the people a corruption-free government.”

The Congress has also said it will undertake massive economic reform programmes for farmers and weaker sections.

It has fielded 38 candidates and left two seats for its ally, Hmar People’s Conference (HPC).

The MNF has fielded 37 candidates, leaving two seats to the Mizoram Congress Party (MCP) and one seat to another ally, Maraland Democratic Front (MDF).

In the existing 40-member House, the MNF and the MDF together have a strength of 23, followed by the Congress with 11, the MPC 3 and the ZNP 2. There is one independent.

Three-corner fight

The State is likely to witness three-cornered contests in a number of constituencies among the MNF, the Congress and the newly-formed United Democratic Alliance (UDA) comprising the Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP), the Mizoram People’s Conference (MPC) and the Zoram Kuthnathawktu Pawl (ZKP), which is a platform of farmers.

While both Mr. Zoramthanga and Mr. Lalthanhawla are in the fray in two constituencies each, the UDA’s chief ministerial candidate and 86-year-old Mizo politician, Brigadier T. Sailo, is contesting one seat.

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