BJP to wait for MNF's decision on fielding candidates from Chakma-dominated seats

Convenor of the BJP-floated North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), Himanta Biswa Sarma, said the BJP will wait for Mizo National Front (MNF) as far as fielding candidate in the two Chakma-dominated constituencies are concerned.

Chakmas are mostly from Chittagong Hill Tracts and in 1964-65 fled East Pakistan after they lost their land and faced religious persecution. They are mostly Buddhist. Chakmas are second largest ethnic group in Mizoram after Mizo (Lushai). There are roughly 90,000 Chakmas staying in Mizoram.

There are two constituencies Tuichawng in Lawgtlai district and West Tuipui in Lunglei district what are largely dominated by Chakma community.


The coordination committee of a consortium of Mizo non-governmental organisations (NGO) in Mizoram urged political parties to refrain from fielding Chakma candidates for November 28 assembly polls.

The NGOs termed Chakmas "Bangladeshi foreigners." The coordination committee include Young Mizo Association (YMA), Mizoram Upa Pawl, Mizoram Elders' Association, Mizo Women Federation and Mizo students union.

“Already Congress has fielded two candidates, we will see what MNF does in this regard and then we will decide,” said Sarma, who is also the finance minister of Assam.

Prominent Chakma leader Buddha Dhan Chakma recently resigned from the Congress and joined BJP. Organisations opposing Chakmas argued that there is substantial rise in the Chakma population.

Sarma said that the election scenario in Mizoram is still taking form but parties are announcing candidates. “Almost one month is left for election, so the situation is still emerging politically. We will also announce candidates soon. ”

BJP is likely to contest all the 40 assembly seats in the state. The saffron party has decided to contest the polls on its own. MNF, despite being member of NEDA, has decided to fight election on its own.

BJP is being attacked as a party promoting Hindutava and being anti-Christian. Sarma said after BJP’s overwhelming success in Christian dominated Nagaland assembly polls recently proved that such charges were old and does not merit attention.

BJP is part of government in Nagaland and in Christian dominated Meghalaya.

In the meantime, the seven party electoral alliance, Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), has announced that it will not field candidates in the two Chakma dominated seats. ZPM said it will not go against the interest of NGOs and the Church in fielding candidates for assembly polls.