Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned visit to poll-bound Mizoram next week has been canceled, sparking allegations from the Congress party that it’s due to his failure to visit neighboring Manipur, where violence has persisted for nearly six months.
Modi, listed as the top campaigner for the BJP in the upcoming elections, was scheduled to address a rally in Mamit, situated about 80 km from Aizawl, on October 30.
Mizoram BJP President Vanlalhmuaka confirmed the cancellation, saying that the PM was supposed to address a public meeting at the GSA playground in Mamit.
Mamit holds significant importance for the BJP in the upcoming elections, set to be held on November 7. The BJP has a limited presence in Mizoram and has won just one seat there from the Tuichawng constituency. In a bid to gain more acceptance among the predominantly Christian Mizos, the party is concentrating its efforts on areas with substantial populations of the minority Bru and Chakma communities, particularly the three constituencies in Mamit district.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has claimed that Prime Minister Modi canceled his election rally in Mizoram due to his silence over the ongoing crisis in neighboring Manipur.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he wrote: “The Prime Minister was to address an election rally in Mizoram on Oct 30th. But now there are reports that he has canceled his visit. Could it be because questions would be raised that he had not found time to visit the deeply troubled neighboring state that has been on the deep edge for almost 180 days… with what face would he go to the rally in Mizoram?”
The Prime Minister was to address an election rally in Mizoram on Oct 30th. But now there are reports that he has cancelled his visit. Could it be because questions would be raised that he had not found time to visit the deeply troubled neighbouring state that has been on the…
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) October 28, 2023