MNF , MPC reach poll pact in Mizoram

Aizawl: The Mizo National Front and the Mizoram People’s Conference have agreed to forge an alliance for the December-4 state assembly polls in the state, MNF sources said on Friday.
MNF has decided to contest 32 seats of the 40-member assembly, leaving eight seats for MPC, the sources said.
Identification of seats for the two parties would be taken up later.
Earlier, the breakaway group of the MPC, the People’s Conference Party led by Lalhmingthanga merged with the MNF.
MNF is led by former Chief Minister Zoramthanga and MPC by Lalhmangaiha Sailo, a retired Indian Revenue Service officer and son of former Chief Minister Brig Thenphunga Sailo.
Meanwhile, Mizoram chief electoral officer Ashwani Kumar’s ‘irresponsible attitude’ today raised the hackles of political parties in Mizoram who are seeking for changing of the date of polling date and that of vote counting for the state assembly elections.
After walking out of a meeting convened by the CEO, the major political parties sent a letter to the chief election commissioner V S Sampath demanding removal of Ashwani Kumar from office.
Kumar convened a meeting of all recognised political parties, Mizoram Presbyterian Church synod and other organisations on the latter’s request to reschedule the polling date.
Lalruatkima, general secretary of the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) said that Kumar acted immaturely and irresponsibly in the meeting with leaders of the churches, NGOs and political parties while discussing about change of the dates for polling and counting of votes.
Representatives of churches, NGOs and political parties which submitted letters to the EC and the state CEO were invited for a discussion on change of polling and counting dates by Mr Kumar in which he argued with the leaders and stuck to his own ideas and suggestions, he alleged.(Agencies)