The poster of MNF founder-president Laldenga that hangs on a wall at Congress Bhavan. (Right) The cover of the MNF brochure condemning Lal Thanhawlas tilak. (Express)

A huge poster of the late Laldenga, founder-president of the main opposition Mizo National Front, on a wall of Congress Bhavan in Aizawl takes one by surprise. So do the posters of state Congress chief Lal Thanhawla at the MNF headquarters, Hnam Run.

With the battle to form Mizoram's seventh government taking a turn towards identity politics, the two main parties  Congress and Mizo National Front  have tried to outdo each other in a curious way; show through pictures that leaders of the other party have worshipped in and attended ceremonies of other religions.

One of the MNF's main poll planks this election is based on exploiting sentiments of the largely Christian Mizos against four-time Congress Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, who has on several occasions taken part in pujas while visiting other states, sporting a tilak on his forehead at one ceremony he attended with his wife.

The MNF began work on the strategy months ago, even taking out a massive rally in Aizawl to protest the CM's "bowing before other gods" and has since not missed any opportunity to take potshots at the CM, constantly exploiting the Christian belief that idol-worship is unacceptable.

Lal Thanhawla, who teaches at Bible classes each Sunday during church services in his home neighbourhood of Zarkawt oin Aizawl, unwittingly fed himself to the cannon by telling a TV talk show host that even Christian pastors sport tilaks when they go outside the state. Church leaders, whom politicians take care to have on their side, especially ahead of polls, were outraged, publicly condemning the CM's statement.

Sensing the mood, the MNF, while announcing its second and final list of candidates for the November 25 polls a week ago, distributed brochures carrying photographs of the CM and his wife attending Hindu ceremonies, including lighting a lamp in front of an idol of Durga, cracking open coconuts at a ceremony and the CM's mugshot with a tilak on his forehead.

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