The Hindu : New Delhi News : Tell MNF enough is enough, says Sonia

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Tell MNF enough is enough, says Sonia

Sushanta Talukdar

Kolasib (Mizoram): Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Friday urged the people of Mizoram to vote for a change and bring her party back to power in the Sate.

“It is time to say enough is enough. Ten years is a long time. It is you who will bring about the change,” she told an election rally on the Tumpui playground here. She urged the people to defeat the Mizo National Front (MNF), which has been in power for the past 10 years.

This headquarters town, 83 km away from State capital Aizawl, is a stronghold of the MNF, which won two of the three seats in Kolasib district in 2003.

Ms. Gandhi alleged that corruption had become rampant under the MNF rule.

“It is time for change. Time to transform Mizoram into a new future,” said Ms. Gandhi, who was clad in Mizo Puanchei (traditional Mizo attire). She also addressed another rally at Lunglei.

Ms. Gandhi said that during her previous visit to Mizoram, when famine hit the State following the outbreak of ‘Mautam’ phenomenon (gregarious flowering of bamboo resulting in rat menace), she saw people literally starving though the Centre had provided financial assistance for the affected farmers and rice for free distribution.

“Where did the money go? Why was it not spent for those for whom it was meant? This is a question you will have to ask the government here.”

‘True guardian’

Ms. Gandhi alleged that the BJP did not believe in religious freedom and religious diversity. Union Minister Bijoy Krishna Handique and Congress Chief Ministerial candidate Lalthanhawla also spoke.

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