India's National Magazine
From the publishers of THE HINDU

Vol. 15 :: No. 25 :: Dec. 05 - 18 , 1998

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COVER STORY

'Voters were fed up with corruption'

Interview with Zoramthanga.

Zoramthanga, the 53-year-old president of the Mizo National Front (MNF), is considered the architect of the MNF's victory in the Assembly election in Mizoram. He was a trusted aide of MNF leader Laldenga at the height of the Mizo insurgency between 1966 and 1986 and also during the transition of the MNF from an underground movement to a democratic organisation, after the surrender of its cadre in July 1986.

Zoramthanga was born at Santhalng, a hamlet in Aizawl district, on July 30, 1944. A graduate in English literature, he was inspired by Laldenga's oratory. He joined the guerilla war against the Indian Army in 1966. Laldenga made him first his "aide-de-camp" and then his private secretary. Zoramthanga went into exile along with Laldenga. After staying in East Pakistan initially, they moved to Pakistan via Yangon. He became the vice-president of the MNF in 1979 and its president after Laldenga's death in 1988.

Zoramthanga has been elected to the Legislative Assembly for four consecutive terms. This time he was elected from the Champai and Khawbung constituencies in Aizawl district. A no-nonsense man with the image of being incorruptible, Zoramthanga spoke to S. Ghosh from his house in North Aizawl a few hours after the MNF swept the polls. Excerpts from the interview:

How will you describe your victory?

It is terrific, although we knew that the MNF, in league with the MPC, would score a sweeping victory. We are grateful to the Mizos who have reposed faith in us in an overwhelming manner. It is now our duty to redeem their trust by working for the betterment of the people of these hills.

What helped the MNF and the MPC register such a victory?

The clinching of an alliance between the MNF and the MPC in 20 out of the 40 seats paved the way for the consolidation of a force to challenge the Congress. We identified the common seats first, leaving the rest for friendly contests. We left 20 seats for friendly contests because there was a scramble for nomination and we had to satisfy all groups.

The voters in Mizoram were fed up with the rampant corruption and scams in which Congress politicians were involved and they drifted towards us. In our campaign we pointed to the lopsided development of Mizoram and the voters bought this line of thinking. The Lal Thanhawla Government was a totally non-performing government, and the Ministers and their chosen bureaucrats were steeped in corruption. The voters had no alternative but us.

Did the Church help you in your electioneering?

The Presbyterian Church Synod issued an appeal to the voters asking them to choose candidates who are free from corruption and sex scandals, who are respected individuals and who would work for the uplift of the people. People in general took enough hints from this message and rallied around MNF and MPC candidates who were not tainted by any scam. We did not seek direct help from the Church for any electoral purposes.

Will your government order a probe into the allegations of corruption against bureaucrats and Congress Ministers?

We made it clear during our campaign that we will seek to establish a scam-free and transparent government. We will definitely advocate a set-up where the common people can directly interact with the government, without any fear. As there are allegations galore, we would surely inquire into these in a lawful and transparent manner. But there should not be any witch-hunt.

What will be the agenda of the new government?

Our main task should be the attainment of self-sufficiency in the economy. We will create a profitable market for indigenous products and horticultural produce and make budget provisions for these. We will put emphasis on revenue-earning cash crops by increasing their yield through modern farming methods. We will provide loans and other facilities to achieve this.

We will prepare a comprehensive master plan for the development of the State with the help of experts and make a people-oriented budget to implement it. We will strive to make Mizoram self-reliant in every sphere and explore possible foreign markets for our products by promoting border trade with neighbouring countries.

What are your plans to strengthen the administration?

KALYAN CHAUDHURI

Our aim is to form a stable government to dispense justice and to provide clean and efficient administration. For this we will empower the new districts and subdivisions so that they function properly. We may create a new division in Mizoram if necessary. The introduction of identity cards for Mizos will also be considered.

We will stress more on social reforms. Measures against drug abuse will be tightened and rehabilitation of drug and alcohol addicts will be taken up on a war-footing. We will introduce a new education policy and frame syllabus with a view to raising the standard of education. Scientific and technical studies will be encouraged. Textbooks will be distributed to college students and school children at low prices.

Power generation is another priority. We will build more hydel projects and provide free domestic electricity connections to the poorer sections.

What programmes do you envisage for women?

We will try to raise the status of Mizo women and strengthen the women's commission. We will also modify the Mizo customary laws to make these more advantageous to women.

What will be your government's political agenda?

We will seek the inclusion of the Mizo language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. Apart from fully implementing the provisions of the Memorandum of Settlement between the MNF and the Centre through talks with the Centre, we will give priority to safeguarding the socio-cultural and religious interests of Mizos.