BJP national spokesperson and state in-charge of Mizoram, Mmhonlumo Kikon has said the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) is the true partner of the BJP led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the centre.
The leader’s assertion came at a time when there is much debate that MNF is trying to camouflage its link with the saffron party.
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Kikon is a two-time BJP MLA from Nagaland.
Kikon had arrived in Mizoram with Union sports minister Kiren Rijiju for campaigning for the Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC) polls that took place on December 25.
“The MNF is a true member of NEDA, which is why its MPs are sitting in the treasury bench in the parliament,” Kikon said.
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He also claimed that the MNF won the state assembly polls in 2018 not only because of the people but also due to support from the BJP.
Kikon said that the BJP has been requesting chief minister Mizoram chief minister, Zoramthanga to allow its lone MLA, BD Chakma to sit in the treasury bench and the party is awaiting a response from the latter.
Kiko said that the centre would amend the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India to give more powers to the state’s three Autonomous District Councils (ADCs)-Mara Autonomous District Council, Lai Autonomous District Council and Chakma Autonomous District Council.
While MADC is based in Siaha district, the LADC and CADC are based in Lawngtlai district.
The bill, when enacted, would provide additional power and functions to the autonomous councils and also give the Finance Commission of India the power to directly allocate resources to the them.
The bill is currently being studied and reviewed by the parliamentary standing committee.
“The Sixth Schedule will be amended solely for the development of minority community areas and will strengthen the holistic development of Mizoram by having special provisions for the minorities,” the 42-year-old leader said.
“We are committed to fulfill the aspiration of the people of LADC in particular and the people of Mizoram in general if we come to power in the upcoming LADC polls,” he said
The BJP had fielded its candidates in 17 seats, MNF in 25 seats and Congress in 14 seats for the 25- member LADC.
There are 16 independent candidates.
Counting will be held on December 8.
He said that the Union ministry of youth, resources and sports and Union ministry of minority affairs have granted special packages to the state.
The centre has approved projects worth over rupees 289.50 crores under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karuakaram (PMJVK) for the period 2014-2020, of which more than rupees 115.33 crores has been released.
However, there is no report of the utilization of the released fund till date.
The centre has also released rupees 33.15 crores to the state for scholarship schemes for minority students during 2018-19 to 2019-20 and provided assistance to 99,615 students.
Kilon said that Prime Minister Modi has prioritized programmes and projects for the state under the Union sports ministry in recognition of its immense contribution and the potential in the field of sports.