THE Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) stormed to power in Mizoram by dethroning the Mizo National Front (MNF) bagging 27 seats in the 40-member House on Monday. Prominent ZPM winners include the party’s CM face Lalduhoma, who secured the Serchhip seat defeating his MNF rival J Malsawmzuala Vanchhawng by 2,982 votes. The ruling Mizo National Front won ten seats. The BJP won the Palak and Saiha seats. The Indian National Congress bagged the Lawngtlai West seat. Prominent losers include Deputy Chief Minister and MNF candidate Tawnluia who lost to ZPM candidate in Tuichang, Health Minister and MNF candidate R Lalthangliana who lost to ZPM’s Jeje Lalpekhlua in South Tuipui and Rural Development Minister Laruatkima who lost to ZPM nominee Lalnghinglova Hmar in Aizawl West II, according to the Election Commission. Chief Minister and MNF chief Zoramthanga lost to ZPM’s Lalthansanga by 2,101 votes, it said. ZPM emerged winners in Kolasib, Chalfilh, Tawi, Aizawl North-I, Aizawl North-II, Aizawl North-III, Aizawl East I, Aizawl East II, Aizawl West-I, Aizawl West-II, Aizawl West-III, Aizawl South-I, Aizawl South-II, Aizawl South-III, Lengteng, Tuichang, Champhai North, Champai South, Tuikum, Hrangturzo, South Tuipui, Lunglei North, Lunglei East, Lunglei West, Lunglei South, Lawngtlai East and Serchhip seats.

 

The MNF won in Hachhek, Mamik, Tuirial, Serlui, Tuivawl, East Tuipui, West Tuipui, Thorang and Tuichawng seats. Counting of votes, which began at 8 am, was being held in 13 centres. Postal ballots were counted first, and from 8.30 am, the counting for votes polled in the EVMs began. In some of the seats that have a fewer number of voters, only two rounds of counting will be held, but in most of the constituencies, five rounds will be counted. More than 4,000 personnel are involved in the counting process. In all, there are 399 tables for the EVMs and 56 for the counting of postal ballots. ZPM to stake claim to form Govt after party meeting: ZORAM People’s Movement (ZPM) said it will stake claim to form the Government in Mizoram after holding a consultative meeting of newly elected MLAs and senior party leaders.

 

ZPM working president K Sapdanga said the meeting will be held on Tuesday and party leader Lalduhoma, who was in Serchhip, was travelling to Aizawl on Monday to meet the newly elected MLAs. Anti-incumbency main factor for MNF’s poll debacle: Zoramthanga: MIZORAM’S outgoing Chief Minister and Mizo National Front (MNF) president Zoramthanga on Monday said anti-incumbency was the main factor for his party’s debacle in the State Assembly polls. He submitted his resignation to Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati in the evening after the MNF suffered a heavy defeat to the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) which bagged 27 seats in the 40-member assembly. The MNF secured only 10 seats this time, down from its tally of 26 in the 2018 elections. Zoramthanga himself also lost to ZPM’s Lalthansanga by 2,101 votes in the Aizawl East-1 seat. Speaking to reporters after submitting his resignation, Zoramthanga said that the “anti-incumbency and Covid-19 onslaught are the main factors” for his party’s defeat in the state assembly polls which were held on November 7. People were also not satisfied with the performance of the MNF government due to inconvenience caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, adding that the outbreak of coronavirus infection had impacted the state economy adversely and impeded the Government.

 

“Because of the anti-incumbency factor and people’s dissatisfaction with our performance due to the COVID-19 onslaught, I lost my Government,” Zoramthanga said. The MNF chief said his party accepted the poll verdict. Asked whether MNF will be part of the BJP-led NDA, Zoramthanga said he has no intention of leaving the alliance but the final decision will be taken by the party. “Remaining in NDA depends on the decision of our party. I am the founding member of NDA. Personally I have no intention of leaving the alliance,” he said. MNF is part of the BJP-led North East-Democratic Alliance (NEDA) and an ally of NDA at the Centre. However, the party has no alliance with the BJP in Mizoram. The present Mizoram assembly term will end on December 15.