AIZAWL: In a significant political upheaval, the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), led by Lalduhoma, clinched a resounding victory in the Mizoram elections, securing 26 out of 40 seats and unseating the incumbent Mizo National Front (MNF), led by Chief Minister Zoramthanga. The MNF, once in power, found itself reduced to a mere 11 seats, while the Congress managed only one. Notably, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) witnessed a notable upswing, doubling its seats from the previous state elections.
Lalduhoma, the victorious CM candidate for ZPM, expressed his commitment to the people's mandate, emphasizing that the change was a response to weariness with corruption and dynastic politics. He underlined the party's top priorities, focusing on supporting farmers and combating corruption with assistance from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Lalduhoma's victory in the Serchhip constituency by a substantial margin of over 2,900 votes underscored the widespread support for the ZPM's agenda.
A former officer in the Indian Police Service (IPS) and once in charge of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's security, Lalduhoma founded the ZPM, which has evolved into a significant player in Mizoram's political landscape. Widely regarded as the face of Zo unification in the state, Lalduhoma's political journey began in 1984 when he entered the Lok Sabha.
ZPM's decisive win prompted them to assert that, with an absolute majority, they would not form alliances with any political party. However, they expressed willingness to collaborate with the BJP government at the Centre. The party's decision not to form an alliance was reinforced by their determination to work independently, a stance that sets them apart in Mizoram's political scenario.
The ZPM's strategy involved fielding young candidates, including former radio jockey and TV presenter Baryl Vanneisangi and star footballer Lapekhlua, signaling a fresh and dynamic approach to politics. The BJP, which secured only one seat in the previous state elections, demonstrated improvement by doubling its representation to two.
While the ZPM celebrated its victory, the Congress, which historically held sway in Mizoram, faced a disappointing outcome, managing to secure only one seat despite Rahul Gandhi's campaign efforts. The ZPM has scheduled a party meeting to discuss the way forward, with plans for the Chief Ministerial candidate to take the oath first, followed by the rest of the cabinet in subsequent ceremonies. The political landscape in Mizoram is poised for transformation as the ZPM prepares to lead the state in a new direction.
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