BJP to field eight candidates in Mizoram polls

Aizawl, Oct 23 (UNI) The Bharatiya Janata Party has decided to contest eight out of 40 seats during the Mizoram Assembly elections slated for November 29.

''The number may be increased if the atmosphere favours the party, '' BJP NE incharge Chandra Sekhar said here today while announcing the names of the candidates, which included two women.

BJP national president Rajnath Singh was expected to arrive here during the first week of November to campaign for the candidates, while the BJP MP from Arunachal Pradesh would camp here during the elections, according to BJP sources.

The BJP will contest from Mamit, Dampa, Aizawl North II, Tuichang, Lawngtlai West, Kolasib, Tuivawl and Chalfilh constituencies.

Meanwhile, the BJP maintained that the violence in Orissa was neither a religious nor anti-minority issue, but a communal clash between two tribes.

'' The violence in Orissa was a communal clash between Kandha and Panda tribes. Since one of the warring tribes was a minority it only appeared as an anti-minority violence. The entire episode started when the Panda tribes, 90 per cent of whom were converted to minority religion demanded to get back to Schedule Tribe status, which was lost following conversion, '' Mr Sekhar said.

He also alleged that in the North Eastern states, where minority was dominant, the people had shaken off the Congress.

'' Congress is in opposition in five out of eight North Eastern states. The BJP has Christian MLAs in Nagaland and Meghalaya, '' Mr Sekhar informed.

UNI ZS SB GT SB HT1625