By Nirendra Dev

Aizawl/Lunglei (Mizoram), Nov 4 (UNI) In the run up to the crucial November 28 assembly polls, the local citizenry and the influential church leaders see a lot of money and ‘Mizo nationalism’ or the parochial divide coming into play.
“Big time money is in play. Everyone says BJP has lot of money and they do spend also. We had similar reports from Tripura and Nagaland also earlier this year,” Rev B Sangthanga of Mizoram People's Forum, a body of church leaders, told UNI.
He said this money factor could be ‘one reason and principal driving force’ leading many Christians including women and “former pastors” join the BJP.
Answering a question, he said: “The fact that BJP is in power at the Centre and several other states is also a factor and it is much beyond this factor. This is where we suspect money play”.
Reverend's observation has its own significance as BJP has already named as many as 37 candidates including six women for the November 28 polls to elect the 40-member state assembly.
BJP has also fielded Rev H Lalruata from Lunglei East and Rev L R Colney from Aizawl West 1.
“We have no proof that money has changed hands, but yes something is in play and that raises eyebrows,” he said.
Meanwhile, the regional outfit MNF led by former Chief Minister Zoramthanga is largely being seen as state’s principal opposition to the Congress and thus a likely claimant to the power riding the
anti-incumbency wave of 10 years against the incumbent government of Lal Thanhawla.
A key MNF leader Robert Romawia Royte has said that “MNF is a unique party built on the foundation of Mizo nationalism”.
His reference is obviously to the fact that MNF was once a major insurgent group fighting the Indian forces under the leadership of legendary rebel leader Laldenga, now deceased.
According to him and other MNF leaders too – the outfit understands the ‘meaning of Mizo identity’ better than any other regional party and more so than two national parties the Congress and the BJP.
“It is not parochialism that is given out a factor. But what is close to our heart is self respect of the Mizos. In the name of rehabilitation of Chakma refugees and the Brus or Reangs, we Mizos
should not be discriminated against,” said teacher R Liatlianga in Lunglei town.
MNF candidate for Lunglei South constituency Dr K Pachhunga also said the issue of Mizo identity as being espoused by his party colleagues is an important issue in this year’s polls. “Both Congress and BJP seemed to be are same. They joined hands and shared power in Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC). So where do we go from here,” he asked.
In fact, the issue related to Brus' voting right has turned into a major political issue with Young Mizo Association and other NGO leaders now insisting that state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), S B
Shashank be 'replaced' and asked to leave Mizoram.
Another church leader Rev F Ramdinmawia also said that ‘money’ is being used by certain political parties to make inroads into Mizoram.
“The fact that some leaders and former Church leaders and missionaries are joining the BJP, we have nothing to say. It is their choice. It is free India right?,” he said.
“As a church we cannot say anything about these.....It is their personal choice. We do not have anything specific about BJP or RSS role in Mizoram, we have seen in media about Christians in other parts of India feeling threatened. Christians are facing problems,” he said.
It has been also reported that some churches were ‘burnt’, he said.
To a question whether it is ‘unbecoming’ of a pastor or a missionary to join BJP – given the fact that saffron party’s proximity to RSS is well known, Rev Ramdinmawia said, “One BJP candidate Lalruata is only a retired pastor while another L R Colney is a missionary for Mission for Christ. He is not a pastor”.
To another question, he admitted people are ‘concerned’ about BJP’s foray with an aggressive push because the saffron party’s ‘pro-Hindutva agenda’ is well known.
UNI DEVN RSA 1216