Business as usual for Congress-ruled Mizoram on 'Bharat Bandh'

Shops, offices and educational institutions were open in Congress-ruled Mizoram on Monday as there was no impact of the 'Bharat Bandh' anywhere in the state, officials said.

Neither the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) nor the opposition parties joined the nation-wide bandh called by the Congress and supported by 21 political parties protesting against the unprecedented rise in fuel prices.

MPCC vice president and state Home Minister R Lalzirliana told PTI that not even a meeting on the issue was convened and no discussion was held to join the 'Bharat Bandh' in the state.

However, the MPCC would organise a token sit-in in front of Vanapa Hall in the afternoon in the state capital.

Congress Legislature Party (CLP) secretary Lalrinmawia Ralte, political secretary to Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, said the matter had not been deliberated in the meetings of the MPCC.

He said that he was not aware as to why the MPCC did not join the bandh in the state, which is the last bastion of the Congress party in the northeast.

-PTI