Won't share stage with PM Modi when he comes to campaign: Mizoram CM
Aizawl, (PTI): Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Monday said he will not share the stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he comes here to campaign for the ensuing assembly elections.
PM Modi is likely to visit Mamit town in the western part of the state on October 30, and campaign for the BJP candidates.
"The people of Mizoram are all Christians. When the people of Manipur (Meities) burned hundreds of churches in Manipur, they were (Mizos) totally against that kind of idea. To have sympathy with the BJP at this time will be a big minus point for my party," Zoramthanga told BBC News in an interview.
"It will be better if the prime minister comes alone and he shares the platform by himself, and I take the stage separately by myself," he said.
Zoramthanga's MNF is a part of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) and an ally of the NDA at the Centre. However, the party does not work with the BJP in Mizoram.
The chief minister said that the MNF joined the NDA and NEDA as it is totally against the Congress, and does not want to be part of any alliance led by it.
On giving shelter to people from Myanmar, Bangladesh and Manipur, Zoramthanga said that the Mizoram government was following the footsteps of the Centre.
"The Indian government helped the refugees from the erstwhile East Pakistan and even armed them to attain independence. We don't arm the refugees from Myanmar but we simply provide them food and shelter on humanitarian grounds," he said.
More than 40,000 people from Myanmar, Bangladesh and Manipur are taking shelter in the state.
Zoramthanga said that it was the responsibility of the Centre to restore peace in Manipur so that people can go back to their native state.
Mizoram will vote for its 40-member assembly on November 7, and the votes will be counted on December 3.
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Ranji Trophy Final: Jammu and Kashmir tighten grip with 527/6 vs Karnataka on Day 2
Hubballi (PTI): Jammu and Kashmir piled on the agony for Karnataka, reaching a commanding 527 for six against the eight-time champions before bad light forced an early end to the second day of the Ranji Trophy final here on Wednesday.
Resuming on 284/2, J&K batters capitalised on a good surface with Kanhaiya Wadhawan and skipper Paras Dogra scoring 70 each to keep the scoreboard moving at a steady pace.
Shubham Pundir (121) had set the tone earlier, while Yawer Hassan (88) and Abdul Samad (61) ensured Karnataka bowlers were made to toil for long periods.
Sahil Lotra, who found a place in the XI due to Vanshaj Sharma's injury, grabbed his opportunity with a fluent unbeaten 57 at No. 7, becoming the sixth J&K batter to cross the 50-run mark.
Abid Mushtaq was unbeaten on 20 as J&K ended the day firmly in control.
For Karnataka, pacer Prasidh Krishna was the pick of the bowlers with 3/90, but it was largely a day of hard grind for the hosts, who rotated as many as six bowlers.
Karun Nair also rolled his arm over for a couple of overs of part-time off-spin in search of a breakthrough.
Brief Scores:
Jammu and Kashmir: 527/6 in 156 overs (Shubham Pundir 121, Yawer Hassan 88, Paras Dogra 70, Kanhaiya Wadhawan 70, Abdul Samad 61, Sahil Lotra 57 batting, Abid Mushtaq 20 batting; Prasidh Krishna 3/90) vs Karnataka.
