The BJP has decided to go ahead with the two candidates facing criminal charges for the November Mizoram elections, citing the cases as “politically motivated”. The party stressed that the candidates have been selected based on their work and popularity.
Seven out of 174 candidates contesting in the Mizoram elections have criminal cases against them. Four tainted contestants belong to Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), two are from the BJP and one is from Mizo National Front (MNF).
According to the Supreme Court, political parties must share the list of candidates with pending criminal cases including the nature of the offences, relevant particulars such as whether charges have been framed, the concerned court, and the case number.
Parties should also give reasons for such a selection and why other individuals without criminal antecedents could not be shortlisted.
In its declaration, the BJP said two of its candidates – PS Zatluanga contesting from Champhai North and NC Muankima from Lawngtlai East – have pending criminal cases.
While explaining why Zatluanga was selected, the BJP said he is “well respected” and “popular among masses”. “His contribution towards social causes is well known. The candidate was selected after the internal survey of the party’s workers and his popularity amongst the grass-root workers of the constituency. The other aspirant has also supported his candidature,” the BJP said.
On why no other candidate without criminal antecedents could be selected, the BJP said by virtue of his work for the common man and considering that the case against him is “politically motivated”, he has been preferred over others, adding that the matter is under trial.
For Muankima, the BJP said he is “well known and a respected member of the society”. “He has a good reach among his constituency and people. He is an active social worker and has done remarkable work for the society. The candidate was selected after the internal survey of the party workers and his popularity amongst the grass-root workers of the constituency,” the BJP said. The case against him is on account of vendetta, the party added.
While ZPM does not have a functional website, on its social media page on X, the party has listed the candidates and details of cases, without mentioning the reasons as to why other individuals without criminal antecedents could not be selected.
ZPM’s Shanti Jiban Chakma, contesting from Tuichawng Assembly constituency, is facing a case of criminal conspiracy and criminal misconduct by a public servant. He was earlier with the BJP.
V. Malsawmtluanga from Lunglei North is facing a case related to a motor vehicle accident. He is facing charges including causing death by negligence, rash driving and causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others.
Two other candidates from ZPM facing criminal cases are – K Sapdanga from Aizawl North 3 and Lalnghinglova Hmar from Aizawl West 2. During the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, Mizo newspaper ‘Vanglaini’ published the names, party affiliations and symbols of the six contesting candidates for the lone Lok Sabha seat in the state. The symbol of the MNF nominee was written as the sun while the actual sign is the star.
Sapdanga was the publisher and editor of the daily ‘Vanglaini’ while Hmar was the joint editor of the newspaper.
All 40 seats in Mizoram will go for polls on November 7 and counting will be done on December 3.
Out of the total 174 candidates, 40 each are from Congress, MNF and ZPM. There are 23 contestants from BJP and four from AAP. A total of 27 candidates are Independent.
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