MNF back in Mizoram after a decade

Aizawl, December 11

The MNF today returned to power in Mizoram after a decade, securing 26 seats, five more than absolute majority in the 40-member Assembly. With this, the MNF has ousted the Congress from power in its last bastion in the North-East.

The Mizo National Front (MNF) had won only five seats in the 2013 Assembly poll, while the Congress had won 34. This time, the Congress has got only five seats.

The Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) — a forum of six local parties in Mizoram and the NGO-turned-newly-floated party the People’s Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM) — secured eight seats.

The Congress had won 2008 and 2013 elections in the state. The BJP made its entry into the Mizoram Assembly by winning the Tuichawng seat. Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla lost in both Champhai (South) and Serchhip constituencies to MNF’s TJ Lalnuntluanga and Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) president Lalduhoma, respectively. MNF supremo and chief ministerial candidate Zoramthanga won the Aizawl East-I seat for the fifth time, defeating Independent candidate K Sapdanga.

Buddha Dhan Chakma, a minister in the Congress government who joined the BJP just before the November 28 poll, won the Chakma tribal-dominated Tuichawng seat defeating his MNF rival by 1,594 votes.

Former IPS officer and security in-charge of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) chief Lalduhoma defeated outgoing Chief Minister Thanhawla in Serchhip by 410 votes. Lalduhoma quit the Congress two years ago before forming the ZPM.

Popular Aizawl Football Club (Aizawl FC) owner Robert Romawia Royte, who contested on the MNF ticket from Aizawl East-II, also won.

The BJP had undertaken intense efforts to oust the Congress in Mizoram after forming governments on its own or in alliance in other north-eastern states.

The MNF, a constituent of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), ruled Mizoram for 10 years—1998-2003 and 2003-2008. However, the BJP and the MNF had fielded candidates separately in 40 and 39 seats, respectively, this time. — IANS