Shadow of Manipur Violence on Mizoram Polls, CM Zoramthanga refuses to share stage with PM Modi

They are allies, but Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga has refused to share a stage with PM Modi when he visits the poll bound North Eastern state of India, indicative of growing differences after Manipur violence. PM Modi is expected to campaign in the western part of Mizoram on October 30. In an interview to BBC, CM Zoramthanga has stated that after several incidents of burning of churches in BJP governed Manipur, a state that had witnessed violence for over four months, he doesn’t think it is prudent to share stage with BJP in this christian majority Mizoram. 

"The people of Mizoram are all Christians. When the people of Manipur burned hundreds of churches in Manipur, they were (Mizos) totally against that kind of idea. To have sympathy with the BJP at this time will be a big minus point for my party," Zoramthanga told BBC News in an interview.

"It will be better if the prime minister comes alone and he shares the platform by himself, and I take the stage separately by myself," he added. 

Thousands from Manipur’s Kuki community have taken refuge in Mizoram after the outbreak of violence of May 3, this year. Zoramthanga's MNF is a part of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) and an ally of the NDA at the Centre. However, the party does not work with the BJP in Mizoram. The 40 seat assembly of Mizoram goes to polling on November 7. Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader and MP had recently visited the state for political campaigning.