AIZAWL: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has made a passionate appeal to the people of Mizoram, urging them to vote for the Indian National Congress in the upcoming elections to “protect and preserve Mizo culture”.
Concluding his three-day campaign in the poll-bound state on Sunday, Tharoor took to a micro-blogging website to share a video message in which he stressed the significance of voting for the Congress party to safeguard Mizo culture and ensure that Mizo resources remain within the state.
“BJP’s majoritarian policies are threatening Mizo culture, language, and religion. Moreover, certain regional parties are acting as proxies to the BJP. So, the answer is to vote for the Congress; the party that knows you. That way we can preserve the Mizo culture and ensure that Mizo money is spent in Mizoram,” Tharoor declared, directing his message at the BJP.
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Earlier on November 4, Tharoor expressed his strong belief that Mizoram could be the first state in the Northeast where the Congress would return to power.
Framing the upcoming Mizoram Assembly polls as a “dress rehearsal” for the larger political battle, he described it as a “struggle for saving India’s soul.”
Tharoor sounded a warning that the fundamental idea of India is currently under threat and encouraged the people of Mizoram to participate in the state election to “defend the kind of India they wish to protect”, setting the stage for the Lok Sabha elections.
Tharoor also echoed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s call to end the politics of hatred, stressing on the importance of a more inclusive and compassionate approach to governance.
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Taking a critical stance against the Mizoram ruling government, Tharoor accused the Mizo National Front (MNF) administration of five years of corruption and a lack of development, resulting in high unemployment.
He highlighted that the MNF government had failed to fulfil its promise of creating 7,900 jobs, with only 2,200 jobs being generated during its tenure.
Tharoor also expressed concerns regarding the special provisions under Article 371G, drawing a parallel with the abrogation of Article 370.
He noted the BJP’s history of challenging established norms and urged caution in preserving the unique provisions in the region.
