Aizawl, Sept 24: As the announcement of the election date by the Election Commission of India approaches, the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) has revealed its candidates for the upcoming election to the 40-member Mizoram Legislative Assembly. The party has decided to contest all the seats in the upcoming elections.
According to a member of the MNF nomination committee, candidates have been finalized for all constituencies except Chalfilh assembly constituency. The party’s candidate for Chalfilh will be announced in the coming days, as there are still some pending issues to be resolved, and the candidate’s name is currently confidential.
However, the present Speaker of the Assembly, Lalrinliana Sailo, who won in the 2018 assembly polls in Chalfilh, will not be given the party ticket. The party leadership and workers expressed dissatisfaction with Sailo due to statements he made while in the US a few months ago.
In those statements, he expressed his desire for the MNF to join or merge with the BJP and indicated that he would discuss the matter with the party chief, Zoramthanga, and other top leaders. Additionally, Sailo leveled serious allegations against Deputy Chief Minister Tawnluia, claiming that over Rs 100 lakh was missing from one of the departments under Tawnluia’s charge.
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All 28 sitting MNF legislators, except Sailo, Home Minister Lalchamliana, and former Minister of State Dr. K. Beichhua, will contest the upcoming assembly polls. Beichhua was expelled from the party for his “anti-party activities” and has announced his intention to join the BJP after the announcement of the poll date.
Home Minister Lalchamliana, who will not contest the elections, stated that he intends to make room for younger candidates. Lalremruata Chhangte will contest from the Hrangturzo seat, which was won by Lalchamliana in the 2018 polls.
Power Minister R. Lalzirliana, previously elected from Tawi seat, will seek election from Aizawl North – I. Minister of State for Sports Robert Romawia Royte, who was elected for the first time from Aizawl East – II in 2018, has shifted to the Tripura border Hachhek assembly constituency.
Chief Minister Zoramthanga will attempt to retain his Aizawl East – I seat, while Deputy Chief Minister Tawnluia will also seek re-election from the Tuichang assembly constituency.
In an interesting development, the sitting Congress legislator of the Palak seat in southern Mizoram’s Siaha district will contest as an MNF candidate from his home constituency. Meanwhile, the former Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Mara Autonomous District Council (MADC), IP Junior, will be fielded by the Congress in the Palak constituency.
With Junior’s candidature confirmed, the state Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) has finalized all 40 of its candidate names. PCC chief and former Minister Lalsawta will contest from Aizawl West – III, and the leader of the 5-member Congress Legislature Party (CLP), Zodintluanga Ralte, will attempt re-election from his home constituency – Thorang seat in southern Mizoram’s Lunglei district.
The Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), the largest opposition party in the state legislature with 6 legislators, has announced its candidates for 39 seats and is yet to announce its nominee for the Tuichawng constituency, which is currently held by the lone MJP legislator, Dr. B.D. Chakma.
The BJP has not yet revealed its candidate list for the upcoming assembly elections, although the state unit president, Vanlalhmuaka, has stated that the saffron party intends to contest all 40 seats.
