<p class="rtejustify">In a development seen as a warning to the saffron party, a church in Christian-majority Mizoram on Thursday expelled a former pastor, whose name came up as a BJP candidate for the November 28 Assembly elections.</p>.<p class="rtejustify">L R Colney, who was named as a BJP candidate for the Aizawl East Constituency, was expelled by Mission For Christ (MFC) stating that the former should have stayed away from politics as he was a "lifetime missionary" of the church.</p>.<p class="rtejustify">The prominent church, however, has not announced any such decision against R Lalthangliana, another pastor who joined Mizo National Front, a regional party led by former chief minister Zoramthanga. Churches play a strong role in the Mizo society. </p>.<p class="rtejustify">“I don’t understand why they have taken the tough stand against me, while they have not initiated any action against Lalthangliana. Most people here consider the BJP as an anti-Christian party, but this is a misconception. I am new to politics, but ready to contest and I am confident of winning. The BJP has a vision for development of the country and Mizoram, and I will try to drive this message to the voters,” Colney told reporters in Aizawl.</p>.<p class="rtejustify">He also suspected that the MFC’s decision could be politically motivated.</p>.<p class="rtejustify">Defending the decision, president of MFC, Rev Lalchungnunga said that Colney should not have entered politics as he was a "lifetime missionary" of the church, while Lalthangliana was just an executive member.</p>.<p class="rtejustify">The BJP, at present has no MLA in the 40-member Assembly. The MNF is part of North East Democratic Alliance, a forum of regional parties floated by the BJP, but MNF is contesting separately, which the Congress termed as a tactic to form a BJP-MNF coalition government after the elections. </p>.<p class="rtejustify">The Congress government led by Lal Thanhawla is eyeing a third term for the chief minister, but the BJP exuded confidence that it would make Mizoram "Congress-mukt."</p>.<p class="CrossHead rtejustify"><strong>Congress manifesto</strong></p>.<p class="rtejustify">The ruling Congress on Thursday released its election manifesto, in which it promised formulating a new economic development policy, increasing the quantum of assistance under its much-hyped New Land Use Policy and further improve facilities in healthcare, education and creation of jobs.</p>.<p class="rtejustify">It also promised free laptops to students excelling in Class X and above examinations, constructing a racing track to encourage motor sports, promotion of music and fine arts and solar power projects. </p>
<p class="rtejustify">In a development seen as a warning to the saffron party, a church in Christian-majority Mizoram on Thursday expelled a former pastor, whose name came up as a BJP candidate for the November 28 Assembly elections.</p>.<p class="rtejustify">L R Colney, who was named as a BJP candidate for the Aizawl East Constituency, was expelled by Mission For Christ (MFC) stating that the former should have stayed away from politics as he was a "lifetime missionary" of the church.</p>.<p class="rtejustify">The prominent church, however, has not announced any such decision against R Lalthangliana, another pastor who joined Mizo National Front, a regional party led by former chief minister Zoramthanga. Churches play a strong role in the Mizo society. </p>.<p class="rtejustify">“I don’t understand why they have taken the tough stand against me, while they have not initiated any action against Lalthangliana. Most people here consider the BJP as an anti-Christian party, but this is a misconception. I am new to politics, but ready to contest and I am confident of winning. The BJP has a vision for development of the country and Mizoram, and I will try to drive this message to the voters,” Colney told reporters in Aizawl.</p>.<p class="rtejustify">He also suspected that the MFC’s decision could be politically motivated.</p>.<p class="rtejustify">Defending the decision, president of MFC, Rev Lalchungnunga said that Colney should not have entered politics as he was a "lifetime missionary" of the church, while Lalthangliana was just an executive member.</p>.<p class="rtejustify">The BJP, at present has no MLA in the 40-member Assembly. The MNF is part of North East Democratic Alliance, a forum of regional parties floated by the BJP, but MNF is contesting separately, which the Congress termed as a tactic to form a BJP-MNF coalition government after the elections. </p>.<p class="rtejustify">The Congress government led by Lal Thanhawla is eyeing a third term for the chief minister, but the BJP exuded confidence that it would make Mizoram "Congress-mukt."</p>.<p class="CrossHead rtejustify"><strong>Congress manifesto</strong></p>.<p class="rtejustify">The ruling Congress on Thursday released its election manifesto, in which it promised formulating a new economic development policy, increasing the quantum of assistance under its much-hyped New Land Use Policy and further improve facilities in healthcare, education and creation of jobs.</p>.<p class="rtejustify">It also promised free laptops to students excelling in Class X and above examinations, constructing a racing track to encourage motor sports, promotion of music and fine arts and solar power projects. </p>