The Mizo National Front has swept the Congress out of power in Mizoram by grabbing a clear majority in the 40-member state assembly. MNF chief Zoramthanga is likely to take over as the next Chief Minister.
The Congress government under Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla had been in power since 2008. In the last assembly elections in 2013, the Congress won 34 seats. But such was the reversal in fortunes this time that Thanhawla lost from both his home turf Serchhip and the Champhai South seat on Tuesday.
He was defeated in Serchhip by the Zoram People's Movement's (ZPM) chief ministerial candidate Lalduhoma by a margin of 410 votes, they said.
He also lost to TJ Lalnuntluanga, a political novice and Mizo National Front (MNF) nominee, by a margin of 1,049 votes in Champhai South constituency near the Myanmar border.
MNF leads in 27 seats, Congress in six, BJP in one and Others in six
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Mizoram CM Lal Thanhawla loses from Champhai South seat
It is to be noted that Mizoram is the last northeastern bastion for the Congress.
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Vanlalawmpuii Chawngthu, lone woman minister of CM Lal Thanhawla’s cabinet, is trailing in Hrangturzo seat
Mizo National Front's Zoramthanga leading from Aizawl East
Mizo National Front takes lead in seven seats, Congress in two seats, BJP in one and Others one
Mizo National Front takes lead in four seats, BJP yet to open account
Congress leads in two seats
Mizo National Front takes lead in three seats
Mizo National Front takes lead in one seat
Mizoram elections: For more news and updates click here
After the exit polls predicted a fractured mandate in Mizoram, the focus is suddenly on a retired IPS officer who had worked with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
This election is a bit different from earlier ones. Mizoram has never experienced hung Assembly in the seven elections since statehood with the Congress and the MNF alternating power, but the presence of ZPM and BJP in the fray might leave its impact.
Counting of votes for Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Telangana begins #AssemblyElections2018
Congress: Lal Thanhawla, Lal Thanzara, V Chawngthu
Mizo National Front: R Lalzirliana, Zoramthanga
BJP: V Hluna, Hiphei
Zoram People's Movement: Lalduhoma
Mizoram has a history of ten years electoral cycle since statehood barring first two years. By that logic, the Congress is supposed to be dislodged by a new dispensation.
As per the People’s Pulse’s prediction, the ruling Congress is set to get 14-19 seats in the 40-member Assembly. Opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) will get 15-19 seats, the Zoram People’s Movement 2-4 seats and the BJP 0-2 seats.
The jinx is that no political party was ever voted to power in Mizoram for three terms on the trot since its attainment of statehood in 1986. For the state’s principal opposition party Mizo National Front (MNF), the battle was to make a comeback to power after a gap of ten years. (Click Here To Read More)
The Congress government is facing anti-incumbency over civic amenities such as the condition of roads in the state. It has also been tainted with graft charges. The party found itself in the same situation in the 1998 assembly polls when it lost to the Mizo National Front.
The BJP has promised to repatriate the Bru refugees who are lodged in Tripura for the past 21 years.
The Congress government's highly popular scheme provides Rs 1 lakh to farmers who own land for use in agriculture and allied sectors.
The Congress government had lifted the ban on liquor in 2014, although it regulated the amount of alcohol a person could buy. While the MNF has said it will bring back prohibition, the Congress said it will take up the issue with church and youth groups.
Stay tuned to TNIE for all the LIVE UPDATES from Mizoram.
Counting of the ballots is set to begin at 8 at across the state of Mizoram.
MNF chief and Mizoram's CM-in-waiting Zoramthanga on Tuesday said that imposing a ban on liquor and developing the state's infrastructure will be among his top priorities after assuming the office of chief minister. (Click Here To Read More)
It was an issue of prestige as well as survival for the Congress when it went to elections in Mizoram after having tasted defeats in rest of the states of the region at the hands of the BJP and its allies in North East Democratic Alliance which is a conglomerate of non-Congress political parties, mostly regional parties.(Click Here To Read More)
The BJP’s mission of playing the kingmaker and claiming the credit of defeating the Congress in its last bastion in the Northeast – Mizoram –was trumped by the MNF.
Mizoram's principal opposition party MMNF has stolen the thunder from the BJP in wiping off the Congress from the Northeast.
These states are pre-dominantly agrarian states and BJP government in the Centre has more or less ignored the Swaminathan report recommendations & loan problems of farmers: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik
"I congratulate Congress, MNF for their success. It clearly shows the mood of the nation," says Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik
A delegation of MNF led by its chief Zoramthanga met Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan after the party won 26 seats in Mizoram Assembly polls.
The land-locked Mizoram in the North-East has assembly constituencies spread across eight districts, out of which 39 seats are reserved for scheduled tribes, while one is for the general category.
We will not have any coalition govt either with BJP or any other ways because my party can form the govt on its own as we have got 26 seats out of 40: MNF chief Zoramthanga
Since I am going to form the govt now my first priorities will be three things—to impose a prohibition on liquor, repair roads & implement Social Economic Development Programme (SEDP) which is our flagship programme: MNF chief Zoramthanga
It's D-day for the five states which went into polls over the past one month. The results in few constituencies have been announced while counting still continues in other places. (Click Here To Read More)
MNF chief Zoramthanga likely to be CM
Congress loses the last bastion in Northeast
Congress faces a heavy defeat in Mizoram elections as they manage to win just five of the 40 seats in the state.
Mizo National Front gets clear majority
Former rebel leader-turned-politician Zoramthanga fired from the hip and eliminated the ruling Congress in Mizoram, the grand old party’s last bastion in the Northeast. (Click Here To Read More)