We would rather jump than fall .....
Mizoram politics these days appear much pessimistic. The ZPM - that came to power generating much hope for genuine change - has turned out to be another run-of-the-mill stuff. Citizens in Aizawl are hardly optimistic that the state's ruling party that won as many as 27 seats in the 40-member assembly may do well in the the fast approaching Aizawl Municipal elections.
The ZPM was seen as a genuine third alternative to the MNF and the Congress. But the state's ruling party is now politically myopic. The state of affairs of governancce in Mizoram and the political mess is a case study in politics that no political outfit should promise moon," says educationist K Lalrupui. He cites the examples of a series of local elections that chief minister Lalduhoma-led ZPM lost in recent past.
According to him ZPM has been humbled in autonomous counil polls in as many as five regions - Sinlung Hill District Council, Phunchawng Village Council, Chakma Autonomous Council and also Lai-polulation inhabited Lawngtlai region.
"They also lost Dampa by election when ZPM nominee Vanlalsailova was humbled by MNF leader R. Lalthangliana. This changed state's political scenario and may be the MNF has found a new leader in him to succeed 81-year-old party chief Zoramthanga," says one trader in Salem area of Aizawl.
Analysts say two primary reasons led to the downfall of ZPM. The party had pledged in the name of God (Mizos being extremely religious) that they will avoid corruption and discard favouritsim. But all that has vanished into thin air. Residents in Aizawl maintain - "We experimented with the third alternative ZPM because our people got fed up with Congress and the MNF. And I won't be wrong to say we made a very lousy and worse choice" (says one college student unwilling to be identified.
The citizens are also let down by the leadership of Lalduhoma himself. Many presumed as an active politician since 1984 and a former cop who held several key positions outside Mizoram; he could understand the significance of politicking. But he not only stayed away from the BJP-led NEDA; the chief minister has allegedly failed to garner adequate funds from the central government.
Worse, while the funds did not come - the state government had to resort to internal resource mobilisation. And hence while rice price was enhanced and the state government also imposed additional burden on citizens vis-a-vis the prices of petrol and diesel.
Of course, the citizens say notwithstanding all their short comings - the erstwhile MNF and Congress regimes never "were so unkind to the voters". Rice prices were increased from Rs 15 per kg to Rs per kg for ration card holders under the Food Security Act. The prices of petrol and diesel were hiked in 2024 and the state government also imposed "a completely new thing --- Rs 2 cess each on fuel".
There is a section of political observers who say the way things are moving; there are also Doubting Thomas around who say the ZPM government may fall before 2028 -- when the next round of polls are due. But the MNF sources say --- with 10 legislators the party is not keen to play toppling game. The MNF supremo and former chief minister Zoramthanga apparently feels any such move may give political sympathy to the ZPM in 2028 polls. Hence the idea is that the 'unpopularity' of the ZPM should reach its zenith.
Observers say while the BJP remains extremely ambitious -- it still faces the 'acceptability' problem vis-a-vis the image of a pro-Hindutva outfit. The saffron party sources however say with two seats win in 2023; the issue of Hindutva is not bothering the native Mizo voters.
"The Congress was a dominant force in the state and they have only one MLA. So try to get a big picture message ... In 2028 polls; we will be a decisive player in Mizoram," says a district level office bearer. Others dismiss such possibilities. The refrain from the anti-BJP camp including the Congress and also a BJP ally at the national level, the MNF --- is that the Lotus outfit will play "spoilsport" with their image of 'resourcefulness' and the Double Engine under PM Narendra Modi.
"We feel the BJP may fish out of troubled waters and attain the position of bargaining in 2028," says one political activist who lately quit the Congress. He also said the decline of Congress in the national level and the "perceived failure of Sonia Gandhi family to revive the grand old party since 2014" has damaged Congress prospects in Mizoram.
Worse the Congress suffered a major setback after several top guns were marginalised. The new pradesh Congress chief is Lal Thanzara, younger brother of former stalwart Lal Thanhawla. A former businessman Lal Thanzara is hardly has political acumen and hence the Congress has remained so weak so far.
However, a Congress spokesman denies this claim and exudes confidence that the grand old party will prove the prophets of doom wrong in the fast approaching municipal polls in state capital Aizawl.
Ends
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