A Mizo vegetable vendor sits in front of a poster of Congress president Sonia Gandhi on a pavement in Aizwal on Sunday. (AFP)

Aizawl, Nov. 16: The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) has effectively scuttled the showpiece event of the Congress’ election campaign — a Sonia Gandhi rally — by denying permission to use the capital town’s only ground for public meetings.

The forced change of venue means the Congress president, who arrives here tomorrow, will have an audience of about 500 people instead of the 5,000-strong gathering expected at the sprawling Assam Rifles ground.

The Zoramthanga government dropped the bombshell last night, saying it could not allow the rally to be held at the Assam Rifles ground for security-related reasons. The Congress was instead offered the nearby Vanapa Hall, which can seat not more than 500 people.

The Mizoram PCC today cried foul, with former chief minister Lalthanhawla describing the administration’s directive as “a ruse by the MNF government in league with the BJP at the Centre to minimise the impact of Sonia Gandhi’s election tour of Mizoram”.

Lalthanhawla, whose face-off with Zoramthanga in Champai constituency is being billed as the “clash of the titans”, said the MNF was giving the impression that it was worried about Sonia Gandhi’s security to escape being censured for misusing its powers. “The main reason behind the decision is to subvert the Congress campaign.”

Apart from addressing party workers and voters in Aizawl, the Congress chief is to travel to Champai for another rally. Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi is already here to boost the party’s campaign.

However, the MNF’s last-minute directive has had a dampening effect on the Congress even before the roadshow begins. A Mahila Congress leader said it was disappointing to know that the venue had been changed after spending considerable time, money and energy in publicising Sonia Gandhi’s one-day visit.

“This is against all norms. P.V. Narasimha Rao and other party leaders, including Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, addressed rallies at the same ground. Though not in power, Sonia Gandhi should be accorded respect as the leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and given the chance to address the people at the best location available in the town.”

Another Congress functionary accused Governor A.R. Kohli of being responsible for the “inconvenience”.

AICC general secretary Margaret Alva told the media during a dinner hosted by the PCC that the administration’s decision smacked of a conspiracy. “Unless it was a suggestion from the top, how could the administration deny permission to use the ground for a rally? In any case, top politicians have always addressed public meetings in big grounds.”

Though the mood in the Congress camp has turned sombre, workers have spared no effort to spruce up the town for Sonia Gandhi’s visit. Congress posters, flags and welcome gates can be seen everywhere.

The Congress president is expected to reach Lengpui Airport around 11.45am.