MNF files complaint against Mizoram CM Lalduhoma over alleged hate speech
Aizawl: Mizoram's main opposition party, the Mizo National Front (MNF), on Thursday slammed Chief Minister Lalduhoma over his alleged provocative speech, which may create misunderstandings and tensions between different communities.
The party's legal wing also filed a complaint with the state’s Joint Chief Electoral Officer against Lalduhoma for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by delivering hate speech and abusing his official position while campaigning for his party during the upcoming assembly bypoll for the Dampa seat.
MNF legal board member Saihmingliana Sailo said Lalduhoma, while campaigning in the Chakma-dominated Silsury village in Mamit district near the Bangladesh border on November 1, allegedly made abusive statements by accusing past Mizo leaders of instigating hatred against the minority Chakma community.
"Our past leaders have sown the seed of hatred between Mizos and Chakmas. Leaders in the past used to teach us how to hate the Chakma community,” Sailo quoted Lalduhoma as saying.
"The Chief Minister has deliberately violated the provisions of the MCC and other laws by making provocative statements aimed at igniting tension between different communities living peacefully in Mizoram. The MNF Legal Board cannot remain a silent spectator to such highly objectionable and unethical conduct committed solely for electoral gain," Sailo told a news conference here.
He alleged that Lalduhoma also made other shocking remarks, including references to speeches by former Chief Minister Zoramthanga, during his campaign in an apparent attempt to provoke the Chakma community.
"While the Chief Minister is expected to uphold the law and maintain communal harmony, making such provocative statements and accusing former leaders of his own Mizo community of wronging the Chakma community is highly unethical and condemnable. Such conduct clearly violates the MCC," Sailo said.
He added that Lalduhoma violated the general conduct rules of the MCC, which state that no party candidate shall engage in activities that may aggravate existing differences, create mutual hatred, or cause tension between different castes, communities, or linguistic or religious groups.
The Chief Minister also allegedly breached Section 123(3-A) and Section 125 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which clearly state that any person who, in connection with an election, promotes or attempts to promote feelings of enmity or hatred between different classes of citizens on the grounds of religion, race, caste, community, or language is punishable with imprisonment for up to three years, a fine, or both, Sailo said.
The MNF leader also accused Lalduhoma of misusing his official position by allegedly intimidating voters and promising financial grants, road construction, and other benefits during his campaign.
He claimed that the Chief Minister threatened voters that they would be denied welfare schemes and certain government benefits if they did not elect the ruling Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) candidate.
During his visit to Silsury, Lalduhoma reportedly allocated Rs. 100.4 crore for Silsury Road construction and promised financial grants, border trade initiatives, the Chief Minister’s special package, housing assistance, and other benefits, Sailo said.
He added that the MNF legal board filed a complaint with the Joint Chief Electoral Officer, requesting the poll panel to take appropriate action under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and the Model Code of Conduct on Thursday.
Earlier, the MNF legal board also filed a separate complaint against Lalduhoma over poll norm violations, and the Election Commission received the matter.
Polling for the Dampa bypoll will be held on November 11, with counting of votes scheduled for November 14. A total of 21,003 voters, including 115 service voters, are eligible to cast their votes to decide the fate of five candidates.