MNF retains power in Mizoram

The Mizo National Front (MNF) returned to power in Mizoram, winning 21 seats in the 40-member assembly. With counting stalled in one constituency on Tuesday, the Congress emerged as the main opposition party with 12 seats.

The regional Mizoram People’s Conference-Zoram National Party (MPC-ZNP) alliance won five seats and the Mara Democratic Front one. The BJP drew a blank.

The MNF’s tally remained unchanged, while the Congress gained six seats.

Incumbent Chief Minister Zoramthanga defeated Congress chief ministerial candidate Lalthanhawla in the Champhai constituency. But the Congress leader won from Serchhip and retained his place in the assembly.

Despite Lalthanhawla’s loss, the Congress was happy with the result, especially because it had been written off in pre-election surveys. Moreover, a number of senior leaders in the state, including the PCC president, had not really thrown themselves into the campaign.

Zoramthanga said in Aizawl that his government’s policies were vindicated by his party’s victory. “The people want us to carry on the good work,” he said, after the MNF clinched its 21st seat.

The MPC-ZNP alliance, of which much was made before the elections, lost ground, its parochial campaign not going down well with the electorate.

The BJP’s strategy of going out of its way to win over the Church and shed its pro-Hindutva image obviously did not work.