Not even die-hard BJP hardliners had expected this. One could have thought on these lines for parties like NPP in Meghalaya led by Conrad Sangma and also Neiphiu Rio-led NDPP in Nagaland. These two outfits in Meghalaya and Nagaland are essentially platforms of disgruntled Congressmen and women.
They can easily do business 'being in the BJP' one day - could be a refrain if Narendra Modi makes a hat-trick.
But Mizoram assembly Speaker Lalrinliana Sailo has mooted the idea of merger of MNF with the BJP in 2023 just about few months left for crucial 2023 assembly polls.
In Mizoram, the BJP has still not being expected at the mass level and oft-repeated refrain of political observers is that Lotus cannot bloom in the hard rocks of the state.
Of all the places, Mr Lalrinliana Sailo made the statement during his recent visit to the US and the occasion too was befitting - he was interacting with the Mizo diaspora. Lalrinliana incidentally is a turncoat into the MNF from Congress stable and maybe he could easily appreciate maybe that there is very thin border line between the BJP and the Congress.
Not long ago Arun Shourie, eminent former Editor and former Union Minister, had called BJP a simple sum total of 'Congress plus Cow'. Lalrinliana has returned to his state and once again reiterated his stance.
The MNF founded by former rebel leader Laldenga, now deceased, is a hardcore regional outfit. It also has a strong anti-Congress DNA.
It's association with the BJP is rather a 'pragmatic' stance --something Mizos are famous for and has nothing to do saffron party's radical nationalism or ideological moorings. MNF is an alliance of BJP at the national and at regional levels and thus constituent of NDA and NEDA (for northeast), it has no understanding with the BJP in Mizoram.
In fact, lone BJP legislator B D Chakma sits in the opposition bench. Hence Lalrinliana's statement has sparked off major row in the state which is set to go to polls in December 2023. MNF insiders maintain that Lalrinliana may not get party ticket.
The MNF nomination committee set up to screen the names of candidates is understood to have a few other names from Speaker Lalrinliana's constituency. To add more colour to the show and spices in rumour mongering/speculation, Lalrinliana has vacated his official Speaker's bungalow. Asked why he decided such a move, the Speaker said, he is already 65 and hence he decided to stay in his own house.
Political observers take his word with a pinch of salt as the BJP will be rooting for leaders like Lalrinliana. In 2018 as well the then Speaker and a Congress veteran Mr Hiphei (uses one name) had quit as Speaker and joined the BJP.
He had organised a 'special prayer session' at his office and then formally handed over his resignation to the then Deputy Speaker R Lalrinawama. Prior to the high drama, Hiphei had met Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is also NEDA convener, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi.
Now in 2023, how politics will turn out in Chalfilh assembly constituency of Speaker Lalrinliana remains to be seen. In 2018, the then former Speaker Hiphei did contest on BJP ticket from Palak assembly segment but had lost to M Chakhu of MNF.
Manipur assembly session on Aug 29
The state assembly and business associated with it is also among headlines in neighbouring Manipur. The assembly will meet just for one day on Aug 29. At the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting on Aug 26, the beleaguered Manipur government proposed just for a one-day session. The move as expected drew sharp criticism and Leader of the Opposition O Ibobi Singh, a former CM, staged a walk out leaving a dissenting note behind.
His argument being, "An one day session of state legislature cannot deliberate on 118 days of mayhem in the state".
Moreover, the House committee has also resolved to limit the Assembly session to a single day, focusing primarily on obituary references. Ibobi Singh maintained that
when obituary references are discussed or taken up; other agenda items are usually set aside.
This decision effectively will leave no room to address the pressing issues including the violence in Manipur for last four monthss.
State Congress presdient A K Meghachandra, also chairman of the state Public Account Committee, voiced his concern for not ensuring adequate time of the assembly to debate on the present crisis in the state.
The centre is certainly embarrassed by the violence in Manipur. However, analysts suggest the centre is in touch with all key stakeholders including leaders of Meitei and Kuki communities and also the Biren Singh ministry in the state.
ends
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