ZPM wrests power in Mizoram claiming 'failures' by both Congress and Zoramthanga's MNF

Mizoram votes for alternative !!

Blogger's article in Telugu newspaper, 'Enaadu' 

Aizawl/New Delhi 

“MNF stalwart Zoramthanga has an art in promising big things and later when the elections are over, he forgets everything," 82-year-old Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) leader Bualhranga had said in 2018 in the run up to the assembly polls.

Five years back, Zoramthanga-led MNF could muster a majority in elections and oust the Congress government headed by Lal Thanhawla. The ZPM was a new party then. However, in 2023, the ZPM is able to pull the carpet underneath Zoramthanga's feet. The party has won 27 seats in the 40-member assembly leaving 10 for Zoramthanga-led MNF and two went to the BJP and one for Congress.

It's pity the Congress performance has been so poor because the grand old party is credited for heralding the Statehood agreement of 1986 when Rajiv Gandhi was the Prime Minister. Moreover, since 1986, the Congress had ruled the state for about 20 years but now almost lost its relevance. Mizoram Congress chief Lalsawta will step down.

The ZPM's convincing win includes all ten seats in the state capital Aizawl region and all four seats in border town Lunglei. In fact, MNF president and chief minister Zoramthanga lost in Aizawl East-I  to Lalthansanga of ZPM by a margin of 2101 votes.  

There are many factors that could be analysed as being responsible for the poll outcome this year. But the ZPM sources say, one major reason has been alleged corruption under MNF. Another reason could be MNF's association with the BJP. The saffron party has come under attack in Mizoram for the ethnic violence in neighbouring Manipur between Meiteis and Zo people including Kukis. 

The Zos and Kukis in Manipur share ethnic bonds with the native Mizos in Mizoram and hence the BJP or association with it by MNF was seen as a 'fault-line'.

The MNF is part of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) -- the northeast version of the NDA at the national level. Though allies at the national level, the MNF and the BJP are 'competitors' within Mizoram. In 2018 and also 2023 assembly polls, both the MNF and the saffron party had contested against each other. Two successful BJP candidates are K. Hramho from Palak and Dr K. Beichhua from Saiha.

 

In fact, MNF MPs have tried to corner the Prime Minister and his government more than once during the Monsoon session of Parliament in August 2023 over violence in Manipur. Notably, the Congress, which suffered severe setbacks in three Hindi heartland states and wrested power in Telangana, could win only one seat in Mizoram. It is more than paradox that the BJP has able to win the double number of seats -- than Congress-- that is two seats.

The vote shares for ZPM was 37.86 per cent as against 35 by MNF and 20.82 by the Congress. 

'Political lesson on Manipur': 

The outcome in Mizoram elections actually leaves a political lesson about Manipur and how the ethnic conflicts between Meiteis and Kukis ought to be seen. PM Narendra Modi was to address a poll rally in Mamit, around 80 km from Mizoram capital Aizawl, on October 30. But he had to opt out from the programme as for a rare occasion the 'popular' Prime Minister staying away from Mizoram in the election season leaves a very powerful message. 

 

Mizoram CM Zoramthanga -- apparently playing back to his own vote bank gallery - refused to share a stage with PM Modi during the campaign for assembly elections. "The people of Mizoram are all Christians. When the people of Manipur (Meities) burned hundreds of churches in Manipur, they were (Mizos) totally against that kind of idea. To have sympathy with the BJP at this time will be a big minus point for my party," Zoramthanga told BBC News in an interview.

"It will be better if the prime minister comes alone and he shares the platform by himself, and I take the stage separately by myself," Zoramthanga had said. One could not be more bitter about a Prime Minister in office. This also brings us to a crucial aspect of politico-administration in the northeast.

The North East tribal Christians will be more than delighted to see a Solution to the pending Naga issue, and it is thus the Salvation route for the Prime Minister vis-a-vis the anguish among the people in the region. Local citizens in state capital Aizawl say there will be lot of expectations from the new ZPM government and the new chief minister Laldhouma, an ex cop, will find the going tough.

Locals also say while the state was "awaiting" change in corridors of power. The mandate against MNF is somewhat unusual. There has been already a trend that Mizos in recent past changed governments every 10 years.

Between 1998 and 2008, it was regionalist Zoramthanga of Mizo National Front (MNF) in office. Lal Thanhawla, the veteran Congressman, came in as the Chief Minister in 2008 and survived till 2018.

In his earlier stint, Lal Thanhawla survived as Chief Minister between 1988 to 1998. But this time, Zoramthanga has been ousted after five years only. Even his efforts to 'polarise' the political atmosphere in Mizoram in reference to Manipur violence could not help save the categorical electoral rejection.

 

"We are practical people. Mizos gave up insurgency in 1980s because we knew the violence was futile. Therefore, I say the greatest as yet unrealized force for change within the Mizo social system is the influence of our pragmatism," said one Gurgaon-based Mizo engineer. 

Those who know Mizos say the locals are hardworking and have fine business acumen unlike other many other northeast tribals.  Mizoram BJP leaders claimed that people do not seem to mind the advent of their party in state's politics. 

82-year-old ZPM leader Bualhranga: 2018 

In 2018, Rev L R Colney, a BJP leader and a former pastor, had said, 'branding' BJP as an anti-Christian party  formed only a part of political propaganda. But this year's Meitei-Kuki conflict was largely seen as a confrontation between "Hindu Meiteis and Christian Kukis".  "People have shown their mandate. We have talked to people again and again, and shouted that Mizoram needs a change," says Dr Vanlalthlana, ZPM candidate from Aizawl North-II.

***

Box: 

ZPM's CM candidate Lalduhoma, 74, was a former IPS officer and also a security official to the then PM Indira Gandhi 
** In 1980s, he was the first MP to be disqualified under Anti-Defection Law

Blogger in Lunglei, 2018 

Mizo attires and promoting a book

Aizawl: With friends !! 

ends