Aizawl: Mizoram Congress senior vice president Lalnunmawia Chuaungo on Monday said that a return to power for the Congress party would signal a total transformation of governance in the state.
Speaking at a party event here, the former Chief Secretary said that the Congress would eliminate the inherent practice of the government acting as a ‘business entity’ and that many functions should be transferred to the private sector.
“If Congress regains power, we will change the system of governance and will not use our authority for personal gain. Our president is an upright man, and I do not believe he is someone who chases such personal benefits,” Chuaungo said.
He said that the Congress would give top priority to improving healthcare, particularly primary healthcare.
“We will prioritise primary healthcare, which involves treatment before a disease becomes severe. If Congress comes back to power, we will focus on early detection and treatment. We will also upgrade primary health centres with well-equipped laboratories,” the Congress leader said.
Chuaungo also declared that the Congress would implement education reforms with a focus on primary education to strengthen the foundation of higher education.
He blamed the previous Mizo National Front (MNF) government and the current Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) administration for allegedly using education for political gain.
While accusing the present administration of acting like a trader, Chuaungo said the government should focus on development rather than acting as a business entity.
“The government is not a trader and should not be used to run businesses. Many tasks currently handled by the government should be managed by private businesses. This will create numerous jobs in the private sector and streamline government administration, ultimately benefiting the state and the people. We need to reform our governance style in this way, and that will be our priority,” he said.
Hitting out at the MNF, the Congress leader said that people were deeply dissatisfied with its rule.
He said that the ZPM appeared to have skilfully painted all previous governments as complete failures while promising everything.
“The ZPM claimed they would go on ‘research-based’ approaches, but they are operating on a whim and leading us into the dark. People are now looking toward Congress for the upcoming 2028 elections, realising that Congress was the best after all,” Chuaungo said.
He further alleged that the ZPM government had previously stalled the Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC) polls to consolidate absolute control over the municipal body.
Polling for the 19-member municipal body will be held on April 21, and the counting of votes will take place on April 27.