GUWAHATI: The Congress notwithstanding its much improved performance in Assemly elections in four others states in rest of the country, is set to lose its last citadel, Mizoram in the Northeast where its arch rival Mizo National Front (MNF) is set to clinch power unseating the grand old party led by Lal Thanhawla.
The latest trend in poll results being declared on Tuesday, former chief minister Zoramthanga-led Mizo National Front (MNF) is all set to form the next government in the frontier state where it is leading much ahead of Congress at least 24 out of the total 40 seats in the state Assembly.
The MNF’s decision not to have pre-poll alliance with the BJP in the Christian-majority state of Mizoram whetre the Church and Chguch-backed NGOs play a key role in the affairs of election, has paid rich dividends. The MNF despite being a constituent of the BJP-backed North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), decided to go it alone in Mizoram Assembly election by fielding candidates in all the 40 Assembly constituencies.
The MNF has fought the election on two main planks — upholding Mizo nationality and a realistic socio economic development programme.
The MNF adopted a strenuous selection process to pick the right candidate for each of the Assembly constituencies depending on candidate’s personal profiles, personality, antecedents, education, age and capability to command the respect of the voters.
MNF is focused on Mizo nationalism and a party sans boundaries and for all Mizos. No matter which part of the region, country or world they are, any Mizo can join the party.
Its strong base in the grass root level was a boon for the party in the polls to fight ‘corrupt, inefficient’ Congress that has ruled the state continuously since 2008 under the leadership of Lal Thanhawla. Many leaders from oherpolitical parties including those from Congress had joined the MNF before this election thereby indicating the rising influence of MNF amongst the people of the state once again.
The MNF has a strong party structure that was of much help during the election. Moreover, inflow of members of other political parties including from the ruling Congress to MNF in the run-up to the polls was unprecedented and morale boosting for the party workers.
It had countered the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegation during the electioneering that the MNF was being accommodative to the BJP, by harping on the unprecedented alliance Congress had stitched with the saffron party in the Chakma Autonomous Development Council in April this year.
As the Congress stares at defeat in Mizoram that is going to mark the end of a long political career on 8-yrar-old leader Lal Thanhawla, the BJP which is hoping to open its account in Mizoram, has reasons to rejoice even in its poor show because its mission to purge the Northeast of rival Congress is getting fulfilled, thanks to the victory of the MNF
Mizoram election has seen straight fight between the Congress and the MNF since 1987 when the state was created elevating its Union Territory status. The Congress and MNF have ruled the state on different occasions since 1987. During this period , the MNF ruled on two terms while the Congress too has ruled for consecutive two terms since 2008.