16-10-2023 : Rahul Gandhi, a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress, has arrived in Aizawl, Mizoram, for a two-day visit to campaign for the party’s candidates in the upcoming assembly elections scheduled for November 7. This visit holds significant importance as the Congress party is gearing up to contest in all 40 seats in Mizoram.
Gandhi’s journey began with his arrival in Aizawl, where he landed via helicopter from Agartala, the capital of the neighboring state of Tripura. As part of his visit, he will undertake a “padayatra” or march from Chanmari junction to Raj Bhavan, covering a distance of approximately 4-5 kilometers. This march will be followed by a public rally near the governor’s house, allowing Gandhi to address the gathered crowd. Additionally, he will engage with students in the evening as part of his itinerary.
On the following day, Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to hold meetings with party leaders and conduct a press conference in Aizawl, where he is expected to share the party’s vision and election strategies. Furthermore, he will travel to Lunglei town in the southern part of the state to host a public meeting.
The electoral process in Mizoram involves voting for all 40 members of the state assembly, and the polling is set for November 7. The official counting of votes is planned for December 3. However, the selection of this particular date for vote counting has raised concerns, as it falls on a Sunday, which is a sacred day for the Christian community in the state. The Christian population comprises around 87 percent of Mizoram, according to the 2011 census.
The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) and the primary opposition party, Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), have already revealed the names of their candidates for all 40 constituencies. In contrast, the Congress party is set to contest all the seats and is likely to unveil its candidate list during Rahul Gandhi’s visit. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced its intention to name candidates for the 40 assembly seats in the next two to three days.
With the upcoming assembly elections fast approaching, political activity is on the rise in Mizoram, and the visit by Rahul Gandhi signifies the Congress party’s commitment to a spirited and competitive electoral campaign in the state.