Three decades after the issue of Mizo nationalism went into oblivion, the Mizoram opposition alliance has raked it up as one of their main plank for the November 25 state assembly polls taking opportunity of the unemployment and backwardness prevailing in the state.
"The issue (Mizo nationalism) was always there as it is the issue of our own identity. No one can ever compromise with his or her identity or the identity of his community which is at stake," said F Aithanga, senior leader of MNF which leads the Mizoram Democratic Alliance.
"Our main aim is development of the economic conditions of the Mizos and protection of their identity," Aithanga told PTI.
Observers here feel that unemployment and backwardness almost three decades after the creation of Mizoram has provided MNF with the opportunity to revive old issues of nationalism and economic sovereignty within the parameters of the Constitution.
The ruling Congress on the other hand felt that the issue of Mizo nationalism would not bear any fruit.
"MNF is trying to misguide the masses. It is talking of Mizo nationalism, but the fact is that its members themselves had surrendered in 1986 due to infighting in their own ranks. When the surrender took place only a handful of people turned out," campaign head of Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee David M Thangliana told PTI.
MNF rubbished Congress' claims and said the surrender was in order to keep the movement over ground.
The MNF-led MDA is also trying to revive the sentiments of the people on its other demands for economic sovereignty and Zo reunification.
Another poll issue in this predominantly Christian state is reportedly a tilak sported by Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla while attending a programme in another state.
Photographs of Lal Thanhawla sporting a tilak and attending pujas appeared in a local newspaper and MDA accused him and Congress of hurting the sentiments of the Christian dominant Mizoram society.
MNF even took out processions here to protest the chief minister's alleged practice of another religion.
Lal Thanhawla's comment that even Christian pastors wore tilaks when they go outside the state triggered a controversy and the powerful Presbyter Chruch condemned it.
"The tilak issue and CM's statement have created some confusion. But we don’t think that MNF will be able to encash on it as much as they are hoping to," said David M Thangliana, campaign head of Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee.
"The campaign and counter campaign over the tilak issue is a dangerous trend and needs to be contained," said Lallian Chunga, a professor in Mizoram University.
The issue of Zo reunification featured in the MDA manifesto this time and a special convention on it was held in Aizwal last month organised by Zo-reunification organizatisn and attended by senior leaders of MNF and MDA alliance.
Image: Mizoram women display their voters IDs before at a polling station at Naishing Para during the 2008 Lok Sabha polls
Photograph: Jayanta Dey/Reuters
