Mizoram: ZPM’s landslide victory signals clear mandate for change
The HinduPublished : Dec 13, 2023 12:05 IST - 9 MINS READ Elections change governments. We will not form an alliance with any party outside the State.” BJP’s Mizoram president, Vanlalhmuaka told ANI: “In the north-east region, all regional parties are working with NEDA or NDA, and if ZPM needs us for the development of Mizoram, we are ready to support and work with the government.” In fact, however, the BJP put pressure on the ZPM to be included in the new government and claimed that the Deputy Chief Minister would be from the BJP. The ZPM’s slogan was Kalphung Thar: Mipui Sarkar, with its main campaign thrust being that the State has “had a Congress government, it is having an MNF government, now once ZPM”. Party leader Hmar said: “People wanted a positive change and progress and voted for this.” Lalrinpuii, one of three woman MLAs and now a Minister in Lalduhoma’s Cabinet, highlighted the party’s core issues: “Our government will provide easy ways for farmers, especially women farmers, to benefit, for example with ginger, turmeric cultivation and bamboo-grass farming.” The Congress, under Rahul Gandhi, had said while campaigning that the ZPM and the MNF were “entry points for the BJP” into the State, but voters did not like this sentiment expressed about regional parties. Announcing the ZPM government’s priorities for the first 100 days, Chief Minister Lalduhoma said the government would implement austerity measures to tide the State over its financial problems.