Mizoram BJP launches cell to help missionaries

The cell is headed by Lalhriatrenga Chhangte. A former deputy controller of mines at Indian Bureau of Mines, he unsuccessfully contested Lok Sabha polls as Independent and joined the BJP earlier this month. Besides Chhangte, the cell comprises one secretary and four members.

“This will be a 24×7 helpline. A Mizo missionary anywhere in the country can contact us if they face any problem and we will help. The BJP has a huge network and we can take the help of our party members to solve the problem,” Chhangte said. “On one hand, this initiative will help Mizo missionaries and on the other, improve the BJP’s image in Christian-majority Mizoram. The Congress has for long propagated misinformation about the BJP that it is an anti-minority party.”

Former CM and Congress leader Lal Thanhawla said, “Across the country, the BJP does not have any secular credentials. In spite of that, if party leaders in Mizoram can make this work, then as a Christian I feel it is good. I hope the intent is to help missionaries and not to just attract Christians towards the party.”

However, the Church has not heard from the BJP yet. “The Mizoram BJP have not approached our Church so far. And we have not discussed it yet,” Rev. K. Lalrinmawia, Executive Secretary of Mizoram Synod said. The Synod is the highest decision-making body of Mizoram Presbyterian Church, the largest Christian denomination in the state.