The exit polls for Mizoram have predicted that the Mizo National Front's (MNF) brand of identity politics will edge out the 10-year-old Congress regime with the narrowest of margins. The BJP has been making consistent inroads in the north east since 2014 and Mizoram is the last remaining stronghold of the Congress.
Let’s take a look at the key faces ahead of results.
Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, Congress
Thanhawla has been in power for 10 years. The Congress proudly claims that it was largely due to his efforts that the party won the 2013 Mizoram Legislative Assembly election, which set a record as he was elected for the fifth time.
A regional satrap – one of the last remaining in the north east – the 79-year-old had entered politics by joining the underground movement of the Mizo National Front (MNF), before joining the Congress. He is widely credited with their success in the state in 1984.
Lalrinliana Sailo, MNF
The former health minister who left the Congress and joined the MNF a month ago, hit the headlines for staggering 797% increase in assets in his five-year term as legislator of Tuichang. This time, he is contesting from Chalfilh constituency.
The BJP has criticised the party over the astronomical increases in his assets. The state had been witnessing – an increase of 3,355% for MNF’s C Ramhluna in 2013 and 2,306% for Congress’s Lalrobiaka in 2013.
Vanlalzawma, MNF
The treasurer of MNF and former Lok Sabha member, will be contesting from the Aizawl West-III assembly constituency. He has represented Mizoram in the 13th and the 14th Lok Sabha from 1999 to 2009, first as an independent candidate and later as a member of the MNF. He has also been the president of the Young Mizo Association (YMA) – the state’s most influential civil society group.
Lalduhoma, Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM)
A seven-party electoral alliance between retired priests, bureaucrats and journalists, the new outfit is likely to be key in the state. The party’s chief ministerial candidate Lalduhoma is an IPS-officer-turned politician and has also served in the security of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. More recently, the ZPM has been a partner of the ruling NDA in the Centre.
BD Chakma, BJP
The BJP is relying heavily on the Chakma vote – a minority group living in the margins of society in Mizoram who have periodically alleged persecution of Mizo organisations. BD Chakma, an influential Congress leader who joined the BJP, has been a key for the BJP.
Earlier, home minister Rajnath Singh addressed a rally in the centre of the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC). He has been fielded by the BJP from the Tuichawang assembly segment violating Mizo NGO's call not to nominate a non-Mizo for the seat.
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