The Congress party has unveiled its election manifesto for the upcoming elections in Mizoram. They have pledged various initiatives, including providing LPG cylinders at a cost of Rs 750, reinstating an old pension of Rs 2,000 per month, offering health insurance coverage up to 15 lakh, and implementing other welfare measures if they win in the Northeastern state.
Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) Chief Spokesman Ronald Sapa Tlai emphasized that the Congress aims to establish an efficient, transparent, and corruption-free government. They plan to empower local governance by devolving more authority, responsibilities, and financial resources to village councils and local bodies.
Furthermore, the Congress government intends to invest in infrastructure development, such as enhancing connectivity, airports, and electricity supply in the state. They also aim to support farmers and entrepreneurs by launching the Young Mizo Entrepreneurs Program (YmElevate), with provisions for startup funding and a target of creating 100,000 jobs for Mizo youth.
The manifesto also outlines plans to provide health insurance coverage of up to Rs 15 lakhs for families without government employees. Additionally, they have allocated a budget of 5 crores for terminally ill patients and will increase the Old Age Pension to Rs 2,000 per month. Subsidized LPG gas at Rs 750 per cylinder will be available to those holding AAY and PHH cards, as well as women-headed families. Furthermore, the Congress party promises to enhance assistance to widows and the differently-abled under the National Social Assistance Program to Rs 2,000 per month.
In the 2018 Mizoram assembly elections, the Mizo National Front won 26 out of 40 seats with a 37.8 percent vote share, while the Congress secured five seats and the BJP won one seat. The upcoming polls in Mizoram are scheduled for November 7, and similar elections will be held in Chhattisgarh (November 7 and November 17), Madhya Pradesh (November 17), Rajasthan (November 25), and Telangana (November 30). The vote counting will occur on December 3 in all these states.
These state elections are significant as they precede the national Lok Sabha elections scheduled for April-May next year and have triggered the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct.
