29 Nov : Hitting the campaign trail for the 2nd December elections, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday accused the Mizo National Front (MNF) Government of "misusing" Central funds and "slowing" the pace of development in the state.
Addressing election rallies at south Mizoram’s Saiha, Hnahthial in Lunglei district and Mizoram-Myanmar border Khawzawl town, Pranab alleged that Zoramthanga Government failed to make the best use of Central funds, thus slowing the pace of development in the state.
The Congress leader alleged that corruption created hurdles in the implementation of Central projects.The state government failed to tackle Mautam famine, though it received Central funds, he charged.
Hydel projects "stalled" during the ten-year-long MNF rule would be completed and Rs one lakh each distributed to the poor and marginal farmers under the New Land Use Policy (NLUP), if the Congress is voted to power, he said.
Former Minister S Hiato of the Congress is contesting from Saiha seat, while former Chief Minister and PCC chief Lal Thanhawla is the Congress nominee from Tuipui constituency.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi had addressed election rallies in the last two weeks.