As Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on his two-day visit to poll-bound Mizoram, on Tuesday, he met the former state Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla. Interestingly, the Congress MP rode a pillion on a two-wheeler to reach the residence of Thanhawla. Meanwhile, he has also taken a swipe at the Centre and RSS over various issues while addressing a gathering in Aizawl.Watch: Rahul Gandhi riding pillion on bike in Mizoram#WATCH | Congress MP Rahul Gandhi rides pillion in Aizawl during his visit to Mizoram pic.twitter.com/ajNmvkPSCl— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2023 Rahul Gandhi slams Centre, RSSEarlier after taking part in a Padyatra from Chanmari (Aizawl) to Raj Bhawan, Rahul Gandhi said, “The Bharat Jodo Yatra celebrated the idea of India, where the diverse languages, religions, cultures and traditions of our country are respected and protected. The BJP destroyed that idea in Manipur. We will not allow them and MNF to do the same in Mizoram.”#WATCH | Mizoram: In Aizawl, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, Both the parties ZPM (Zoram Peoples Movement) and MNF (Mizo National Front) are instruments for BJP and RSS to enter the state (Mizoram). Congress party can never be an instrument to enter (state) because we are… pic.twitter.com/wFiYh13CnE— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2023 Meanwhile, he also took a dig at union ministers sons, saying, “What is exactly the son of Amit Shah doing What does Rajnath Singhs son do… last I heard, Amit Shahs son is running Indian cricket…many of their (BJP) children like Anurag Thakur, are dynasties.”#WATCH | Mizoram: In Aizawl, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, What is exactly the son of Amit Shah doing What does Rajnath Singhs son do…last I heard, Amit Shahs son is running Indian cricket…many of their (BJP) children like Anurag Thakur, are dynasties pic.twitter.com/dI6vi21vaZ— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2023 Congress releases list of candidates for Mizoram pollsAfter the arrival of Rahul Gandhi in Mizoram, the Congress party also released a list of 39 candidates for the upcoming Mizoram Assembly elections.Congress has fielded Lalsanglura Ralte from the Aizwal East-I constituency, currently held by Mizo National Front (MNF) president and Chief Minister Zoramthanga. While Mizoram Congress Committee Chief Lalsawta has been fielded from Aizawl West-III (ST), Lalnunmawia Chuaungo has been given the party ticket from Aizawl North-I (ST). Moreover, Lalrindika Ralte will contest from Hachhek (ST), Lalhmingthanga Sailo from Dampa (ST) and Lalrinmawia from Aizawl North-II.In a 40-member Mizoram assembly, Mizo National Front bagged 26 seats with a vote share of 37.8 per cent to emerge victorious in the 2018 polls. Congress secured five seats and BJP won one seat.The assembly polls will be held in Mizoram on November 7, Chhattisgarh on November 7 and November 17, Madhya Pradesh on November 17, Rajasthan on November 25 and Telangana on November 30. The counting of votes will take place on December 3 in all the states.Of the five states, polling in Chhattisgarh will be held in two phases.The Model Code of Conduct has come into force with the announcement of poll dates. The elections to five states are crucial as they are being held months before the Lok Sabha elections in April-May next year.
