No anti-incumbency for neutral people: Mizoram CM

Shrugging off claims of the opposition that his government is facing anti-incumbency, Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla said the Congress is on course to winning the third consecutive election in the state. In an interview to Bikash Singh, he said exits of some leaders have only made the party stronger and that it would improve its tally to 37 in the 40-member assembly. Excerpts:

Do you accept the claim of the opposition that the Congress is facing anti-incumbency?
Except for Mizo National Front no one is talking about anti-incumbency. For common people and neutral people there is no anti-incumbency.


Why do you think people of Mizoram should vote for the Congress once again?
MNF has alleged that your government’s New Land Use Policy (NLUP) is a failure…

The flagship scheme of NLUP has done very well. In terms of GDP growth Mizoram is among the top four states of the country. The per capita income is higher than the national average. While the national GDP growth was 6.7 per cent we grew at 8 per cent. NITI Aayog has appreciated the state’s achievement. If economic indicators are not a reflection of growth, then what else is? In our manifesto we have clearly stated that the NLUP will be continued in the state. From subsistence economy we are moving towards market economy.

MNF is accusing the Congress of promoting liquor culture since the Congress, in 2014, replaced the Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition Act (MLTP), 1995…
We have relaxed from total prohibition to controlled prohibition and this will continue. In 1997 all the church leaders came to me and I imposed prohibition. For 17 years prohibition was there and it was a failure, for spurious liquors were coming. In 1998 there was election and out of 40 seats we only got six seats. These things do not bother voters much.

Does your party stand to lose from the defection of some party leaders ahead of the polls?
Due to these defections Congress workers were happy. Workers were happy for corrupt people have left us and this has boosted the morale of the party. Several people have joined the party after that.

MNF has promised an Assamlike National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state if it comes to power. Do you think Mizoram needs NRC?
In its last tenure MNF never implemented what it promised. I do not think NRC is needed. However, there is no problem, if need be we can have it.