AIZAWL: In a bid to amplify its footprint in the upcoming Mizoram Assembly elections on November 7, the Congress party is rolling out the red carpet for its heavyweights. Party stalwarts Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jairam Ramesh, and the eloquent Shashi Tharoor are poised to grace Mizoram, to drum up support for the party’s electoral campaign.
Lalremruata Renthlei, Chairman of Mizoram Congress’s media cell, confirmed to a national news agency that Vadra and Tharoor are expected in Mizoram on November 3 and 4. Vadra’s itinerary is particularly tailored to address linguistic minority regions in the southern and western parts of the state.
Ramesh’s visit to Aizawl is anticipated for tomorrow. Apart from hosting a press conference and confabulating with party leadership, Ramesh is also scheduled to address public gatherings during his stay in the state.
Previously, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had also championed the party’s cause, canvassing in Aizawl and Lunglei town between October 16 and 17.
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The BJP is not lagging in its campaign momentum either. High-profile visits by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party supremo JP Nadda, and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari are on the cards.
Modi, in particular, is expected to rally in Mamit town on October 30, throwing his weight behind Lalrinliana Sailo. Sailo, the former Mizoram Assembly Speaker, who recently defected from the Mizo National Front (MNF) to contest from Mamit under the BJP banner.
The electoral battle is set for 40 assembly seats with the vote counting slated for December 3. A total of 174 contenders, which includes 16 women, are vying for these seats.
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The BJP, having contested 39 seats in 2018, has scaled back to 23 this time around. Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is making its electoral debut in Mizoram, fielding four candidates.
As the political atmosphere heats up, approximately 8.56 lakh voters, of which 4.38 lakh are female, are prepping to exercise their democratic right in the upcoming polls.
