The BJP will probe the “irregularities” in the implementation of the Socio-Economic Development Policy (SEDP), a flagship scheme of the Mizo National Front (MNF)-led government, if voted to power in the November 7 Assembly elections in Mizoram.
The announcement was made by BJP president J.P. Nadda at an election rally in Chakma-majority Kamalanagar in Lawngtlai district on Saturday.
The development assumes importance because the MNF is part of the BJP-led NDA at the Centre and the NEDA in the Northeast. However, the MNF does not deal with the BJP in the state.
While hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to ensure development funds reach the villages of Mizoram, Nadda said they have come to know about “irregularities” in the SEDP.
“We came to know that Zoramthanga had promised Rs 3 lakh under the SEDP. Where did it go? Did you get it? Did you get Rs 3 lakh? Should it be probed (the irregularities)? This will be probed and we will also provide livelihood opportunities under the LOTUS (Livelihood Opportunity Transformation and Upliftment Scheme) scheme,” Nadda said while urging the gathering to dissociate itself from the MNF and connect with the BJP to usher in development.
This was the second time Nadda had attacked the ruling MNF in less than 24 hours.
Releasing the party’s vision document in Aizawl on Friday evening, the BJP president had said: “We will establish a special investigation team to probe all irregularities and corruption in the implementation of the SEDP ...”
“We will overcome all fallacies on corruption surrounding the SEDP scheme. We will launch LOTUS and issue LOTUS family ID cards to all eligible families aiming to improve the quality of their livelihood.”
The ruling MNF, eyeing a second straight term in power, has not reacted but a senior leader said they would meet on Monday and discuss the SEDP issue raised by the BJP, a minor player in the state’s politics but having influence among the state’s minority tribes such as the Chakma, the Lai and the Bru.
The SEDP aims at ushering sustainable development through a judicious use of resources. It was a key promise of the MNF in the 2018 Assembly elections, which they won comfortably by unseating the Congress. It was adopted by the MNF government in 2019, promising monetary assistance to the tune of Rs 3 lakh to beneficiaries to start businesses/projects for the economic uplift of their household.
An official said though Rs 3 lakh was promised, the scheme was adversely impacted by the Covid pandemic, which led to a cash crunch.
BJP vows 33% women quota in Mizoram jobs
BJP president J.P Nadda on Friday evening released the party’s manifesto for the November 7 Assembly elections in Mizoram, promising 33 per cent reservation for women in government jobs and a drug-free state if voted to power.
The party has also promised free quality education to girl students from KG to PG level.
Women outnumber male voters in Mizoram, which is currently ruled by the MNF.
Releasing the party’s “vision document” in Aizawl, Nadda said their vision “encompasses” making Mizoram one of the “leading states” in the Northeast through rapid transformation in fields like women empowerment, healthcare, infrastructure, and ensuring the last-mile delivery of welfare schemes”.