AIZAWL: Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, who also serves as the president of the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), expressed unwavering confidence on Tuesday that his party, which he described as "baptised with martyrs' blood," will successfully retain power in the forthcoming assembly elections.
The seasoned politician's statement harks back to the turbulent two-decade-long insurgency era when the MNF operated as an armed faction. It eventually transitioned into the political mainstream in 1986 following the signing of the Mizo Peace Accord, emerging as a political party.
The elections for the 40-member Mizoram Assembly are scheduled to occur in a single phase on November 7, with vote counting set for December 3.
Taking to his official Instagram account, Zoramthanga affirmed that the "MNF is gearing up to govern and serve the people in the next term."
"We have faith that we will continue in power with the assistance of the Almighty. Our commitment to our faith and our state remains steadfast. We are prepared to carry on our mission of serving the people of our state," he declared.
The MNF president emphasized that the party is a custodian of Mizo nationalism, which he deemed vital for Mizoram's protection. He underscored the party's unwavering resolve over its 62-year history, with the Almighty guiding them through numerous challenges.
The stage is set for a three-way contest in the assembly polls, with the MNF, Zoram People's Movement (ZPM), and the Congress as the key players. All three parties have fielded candidates for all 40 seats.
While the MNF has already announced its slate of 40 candidates, including 25 incumbent MLAs, the ZPM has unveiled its list of 39 candidates and is yet to nominate a contender for the Chakma-dominated Tuichawng constituency.
The Congress and the BJP, although vying for all seats, are yet to disclose their candidate names.
The emergence of the ZPM, established in 2017, has altered Mizoram's political landscape. For the past three decades, the state's elections have been primarily contested between the MNF and the Congress following Mizoram's statehood achievement in 1987.
Under the leadership of its chief ministerial candidate Lalduhoma, a former IPS officer, the ZPM champions change and now stands as the primary challenger to the ruling MNF, while the Congress grapples with internal disputes.
The MNF is counting on Mizo sub-nationalism, advocating for unity among Zo ethnic tribes and addressing the concerns of Zo refugees from Myanmar and Bangladesh, as well as internally displaced people (IDPs) from neighboring Manipur, where they are recognized as Kukis.
In the last assembly elections held in November 2018, the MNF secured 26 seats, while the ZPM won eight, with Lalduhoma capturing two seats. The Congress earned five seats, and the BJP secured one.
Subsequently, the MNF won two assembly by-elections, wresting the seats from the ZPM.
Also Watch: