Top News
Zoramthanga’s loyalty to Mizo cause helped him return to power after a decade (Profile)
By Sujit Chakraborty
Aizawl, Dec 15 (IANS) Militant leader-turned-politician, Zoramthangas intense acumenship took his party, the Mizo National Front (MNF), to govern Mizoram, the country’s second least populous state, for a third term. It also obliquely helped the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to accomplish its mission to make a “Congress-mukt (free) northeast”.
Mizo iconic leader and MNF founder Laldenga’s closest lieutenant, Zoramthanga, 74, was elected for a fifth term on Tuesday from Aizawl East-I seat, defeating Independent candidate K. Sapdanga by a margin of 2,504 votes.
The hardworking veteran tribal leader was earlier the Chief Minister of the Christian-dominated northeastern state for 10 years (1998-2003 and 2003-2008).
“Zoramthanga’s firm loyalty for the Mizo cause makes him a acceptable leader both among the young and old age, men and women in Mizoram,” political analyst and academician K.Sailo told IANS.
He said that the Congress government’s 10 year misrule, non-performance and Mizoram’s under development, besides job crisis among the youth, fittingly convinced the people to change the regime.
He was Laldenga’s second-in-command during the secessionist movement in Mizoram and became the successor as party chief, after MNF was recognised as a political party.
After the devastating famine of 1959 and the Centre’s alleged “indifference towards Mizos”, the MNF led by Laldenga “declared independence from the Indian Union” on March 1, 1966.
Zoramthanga joined the outlawed MNF in the same year while waiting for his results in Bachelor of Arts course at the D.M. College under Manipur University in Imphal.
He was also arrested during the clandestine movement.
Zoramthanga accompanied Laldenga to Pakistan and Europe while the MNF was holding talks with the Indian government and was actively involved in the peace parleys.
Coming overground, following the historic Mizo peace accord signed on June 30, 1986, between the MNF and the Centre, he was inducted as a minister in the interim government headed by Laldenga for six months.
He was appointed as secretary to Laldenga since 1969 and as Vice President of the “Mizoram government-in-exile” since 1979 as well as the Vice-President of the MNF party.
When the MNF under the leadership of Laldenga came to power in 1987, Zoramthanga became the Finance and Education Minister.
He was elected as the MNF President after Laldenga’s death in July 1990 from lung cancer.
In the 1998 Assembly elections, the party won the polls and Zoramthanga became the Chief Minister.
In 2017, the politician published his first book on the history of the Mizo nationalism movement in Mizo language and the book was sold out within a week of its release.
Political analyst and writer N. Pachhunga told IANS: “As Zoramthanga is a devoted peace lover, he offered the Central government to negotiate with the underground outfits of northeast India,” he said.
“Zoramthanga had to take a firm pragmatic planning and mission to take Mizoram on the path of growth as the state is lacking behind in adequate infrastructures like roads and power plants. To move away from ‘Jhum’ or shifting-cultivation to settle farming and manage jobs for the educated youths are also a major challenges for the new Chief Minister,” Pachhunga said.
The MNF is a constituent of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA). However, both MNF and BJP contested the November 28 polls separately in Mizoram.
The MNF had put up 40 candidates and BJP 39, its highest ever.
“Due to Christianity and traditional ethnic conviction, Mizos are very close-knit and deep-bonding society. A party like BJP has no space in such a society. My government would make all-out efforts to further develop the Mizo society and the infrastructure of the state, specially the roads,” Zoramthanga said.
The November 28 elections’ sparkling success came after MNF failed miserably in the past two elections, when its seat tally was reduced to single digits.
In 2008, the MNF lost power to Congress after a 10-year stint and managed to win just three seats and in 2013 polls the party managed five seats.
With a population of around 1.1 million (2011 census), Mizoram is India’s second most literate state (91.58 per cent), after Kerala (93.91 percent).
–IANS
sc/ksk/hs
Top News
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
Cheers and Cheers: Barzilla’s Joyful Ode to Inclusivity and Celebration
Casino Days Reveal Internal Data on Most Popular Smartphones
Meghalaya Reserves Legalized Gambling and Sports Betting for Tourists
IPL 20202 UPDATE: KXIP vs MI IPL Dream11 Team Prediction for Today Match, Update Point Table of all Team.
In a Live debate AAP leader Syed Asad Abbas hurls abuses to BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.
‘India’s Most Wanted’ trailer out Arjun Kapoor on hunt of Osama-Bin-Laden
Time to move on: Sonakshi on Shatrughan’s joining Congress
