ZPM ends MNF, Congress hegemony in Mizoram; sweeps polls
Hindustan TimesThe Zoram Peoples’ Movement, which was formed six years ago through a merger of six smaller outfits, swept the assembly polls in Mizoram on Monday, ending decades of rule by the Mizo National Front and the Congress in the northeastern state. While ZPM president and party’s chief ministerial candidate Lalduhoma won easily from Serchhip by a margin of nearly 3,000 votes, MNF president and chief minister Zoramthanga lost his home seat of Aizawl East-I by over 2,000 votes. “Mizoram’s financial condition is very bad, and we will be inheriting it from the previous government, but despite that we will honour our commitment made to farmers to procure ginger, turmeric, chilly and broom sticks from them at a predetermined price,” ZPM president Lalduhoma told HT over phone. Mizoram has been ruled by the MNF and the Congress since the state’s formation in 1987 and this is the first time another party has been able to break that trend. We would be happy to be part of the ZPM government to bring all-round development to Mizoram with help from the Centre,” BJP Mizoram unit chief Vanlalhmuaka said.