Aizawl, Dec 6: Mizo National Front, a constituent of the BJP-led NEDA, dismissed saffron party chief Amit Shah's remarks that the party will rule India for the next 50 years if it wins the 2019 general elections, saying he is not a God and the prediction is an exaggeration.
The principal opposition party in Mizoram is, however, confident that the Congress or the UPA will not come to power at the Centre in the next year's general elections.
Former chief minister and MNF chief Zoramthanga told PTI in an interview that his party and the BJP can never be allies in the hill state because of the saffron party's Hindutva politics.
"I doubt. He (Shah) is not a God. He cannot predict that in politics. Even Modi cannot predict that. That is his wishful thinking. Nobody can predict that," he said, when asked about Shah's claim of BJP ruling for the next 50 years.
The Congress is not coming to power again in 2019 at the Centre and nobody can predict how many decades it will take to form the next government, the veteran politician from the north-east said.
"For decades, he (Shah) may predict that Congress will not come to power. But to predict for 50 years or 100 years, it is rather an exaggeration," Zoramthanga said.
In September, Shah had said at the BJP's National Executive meet that the party will win the 2019 elections because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's hard work and then no one can dethrone it for the next 50 years.
Talking about the relations between the MNF and the BJP, the two-time chief minister said he was completely against the BJP as far as the ideology and other things are concerned.
"Because we are Christians. They want to promote the Hindutva. We cannot be together as far as these things are concerned. We have a different ideology.
"But as far as the country is concerned, the NDA is better than the UPA and that is why we joined them at the Centre. But ideologically, the MNF and the BJP are poles apart. The BJP knows it very well," he said.
In the recently held Assembly elections in Mizoram, the MNF contested alone against the ruling Congress and the BJP. Both the Congress and the MNF contested in all the 40 constituencies, while the BJP fought in 39 seats.
The Congress has been in power in Mizoram since 2008 and is eyeing a third consecutive term. In the 2013 elections, the Congress had won 34 seats, while the MNF got five and Mizoram People's Conference one.
Mizoram went to polls on November 28 and counting of votes will be taken up on December 11.
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Melbourne: Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old convenience store owner and father of two, is being widely praised for his bravery after he tackled and disarmed one of the gunmen during a deadly shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday, December 14.
The attack took place near a children’s playground during the “Chanukah By The Sea,” a Jewish event, the Hanukkah celebration, which was attended by hundreds of families.
Two gunmen opened fire on the crowd, killing 11 people and injuring many others. In total, 29 people were taken to hospitals across Sydney.
The video that quickly spread across social media showed Ahmed crouching behind parked cars before running towards one of the attackers. As shots rang out, he came from behind, placed the gunman in a headlock, and wrestled the firearm away.
During the struggle, Ahmed was shot twice by a second gunman, suffering injuries to his hand, arm, and leg. Despite his injuries, he managed to disarm the attacker. Australian media later confirmed Ahmed al Ahmed as the man seen in the viral footage.
After the attack, he was widely hailed as a hero. Donations began pouring in from across Australia and abroad to support his recovery.
Quoting Reuters, Hindustan Times reported that a GoFundMe campaign set up for Ahmed raised more than A$1.1 million within a single day. Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman was the largest donor, contributing A$99,999 and sharing the fundraiser on his X account.
Ahmed is currently recovering in St. George Hospital after undergoing surgery for gunshot wounds, and doctors have said he may require further procedures.
According to local reports, members of the public gathered outside St. George Hospital to show their support.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised Ahmed’s actions, saying they prevented the death toll from rising further.
“What we’ve seen in the last 24 hours was the worst of humanity in a terrorist act. But we also saw the best of humanity in Ahmed Al Ahmed running towards danger and putting his own life at risk,” Albanese told state run ABC News. He confirmed that Ahmed was shot twice by the second attacker during the incident.
Family members said Ahmed had no prior experience with firearms and acted purely on instinct.
Police later confirmed that two gunmen were involved in the attack. One was disarmed by Ahmed and later taken into custody in critical condition. The second gunman was fatally shot at the scene by a police officer who arrived shortly after Ahmed’s intervention.
A man who disarmed a terrorist has been identified as a Muslim named Ahmed Al Ahmad during an attack on a Jewish event in Sydney.
— Globe Eye News (@GlobeEyeNews) December 14, 2025
He prevented further harm to Jews. pic.twitter.com/OvU0y0iQq4
