Infighting scars Mizoram Cong Power struggle impacts Cong in Chhattisgarh

NEWDELHI/AIZAWL: Mizoram’s outgoing assembly speaker, Hiphei, is likely to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the November 28 elections amid infighting within the ruling Congress and desertions from the party.

Four legislators – R Lalzirliana, Lalrinliana Sailo, Buddha Dhanchakmaandhmingdailova Khiangte – had earlier quit the Congress following differences with chief minister Lal Thanhawla.

The defections came just before the elections even as the Congress is seeking to retain its last bastion in the country’s Northeastern region.

Hiphei, 81, who is mononymous, had been given a Congress ticket for Siaha district’s Palak seat. He left for Guwahati on Tuesday and held talks with Assam minister and BJP in-charge for Mizoram, Himanta Biswa Sarma.

“Hiphei first went to Guwahati and then flew to New Delhi to hold consultations with senior party leaders. We have no idea if he will be given a BJP ticket,” Mizoram BJP chief JV Hluna said. “We knew the speaker was unhappy with the Congress. One thing is certain, even if he does not get a BJP ticket, he will leave Congress and will support our candidates in the election.”

Hiphei was not immediately available for comment.

The state Congress has requested the party’s high command to revoke Hiphei’s candidature. “Considering Hiphei’s age and experience, we decided to give him the ticket. But there was lot of opposition against him from the party workers and we also felt he did not stand a chance at winning,” said Congress’s state unit secretary Bhupen Borah.

Lal Thanhawla is contesting from two seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes to negate the anti-incumbency factor. He has ruled the state for 10 years.

State Congress leaders have accused Lal Thanhawla of functioning “in an autocratic manner”. He had skipped the party’s central election committee in Delhi last month. Lal Thanhawla is the only Congress chief minister, who also heads the state party unit. It was mandatory for him to attend the CEC meeting.

Congress general secretary (North East) Luizinho Falerio argued Lal Thanhawla had sought an exemption from attending meeting as he is leading the campaign. He said Lal Thanhawla nominated LS member CL Ruala to represent him. RAIPUR: A reported tussle between state Congress president Bhupesh Baghel and general secretary in-charge PL Punia is dogging the party in poll-bound Chhattisgarh.

A senior state Congress functionary said relations between the two leaders, who disagreed before on ticket selection, deteriorated last month after a local news channel aired an audio clip on October 2 where a party leader was purportedly heard bargaining for seats.

The controversy caused an uproar in the state unit with leaders loyal to Baghel and Punia blaming the other camp for the row.

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi called a meeting on October 5 to resolve the dispute and formed a core committee to steer poll strategy.

Chhattisgarh goes to the polls in two phases on November 12 and 20.

A senior Congress leader who did not wish to be named said the disagreement between Baghel and Punia had grown because of a dispute over who would have a larger say in dayto-day affairs of the Congress. “The rift has become wide now,” said the leader.

Neither Baghel nor Punia were immediately available for comment.

The Congress denied there was any rift between Baghel and Punia.

“The BJP is losing Chhattisgarh and this is part of propaganda. There is no rift between Baghel and Punia and both are working to strengthen the party,” said senior leader and spokesperson RP Singh.

Congress communication head, Randeep Singh Surjewala, also said on Thursday that there was nothing between Baghel and Punia and that it was propaganda created by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

Chhattisgarh BJP spokesperson Sacchinand Upasane said everyone knew what was happening in the Congress. “All the leaders of Congress party including Punia and Baghel are fighting for their own existence,” Upasane added.