Aizawl, Sept 11: With the Mizoram legislative assembly elections scheduled for November or December, the political landscape in the state is already heating up. The Election Commission of India has yet to announce the official election date, but the major political parties have been busy finalizing their candidates for the upcoming polls.
The three significant political players in Mizoram politics have almost completed their candidate selection process, leaving only a few constituencies undecided.
The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) has finalized candidates for 38 assembly seats, with the remaining two constituencies still under consideration. One of these seats is currently held by the MNF, and the other by an opposition party.
In a notable development, the MNF is unlikely to renominate Assembly Speaker Lalrinliana Sailo in the Chalfilh constituency. Sailo faced backlash for expressing his desire for the MNF to join the BJP while in the United States. Despite the MNF being an ally of the BJP-led NDA at the national level and NEDA in the northeast region, the BJP remains a political outlier in the predominantly Christian state. The lone BJP legislator in Mizoram also sits on the opposition bench in the state assembly.
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The MNF is also yet to finalize its candidate for the prestigious Aizawl South-II constituency, currently held by the opposition Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM). This constituency is likely to witness a closely contested battle.
On the other hand, the ZPM has already announced candidates for 39 constituencies but is yet to confirm its nominee for the Tuichawng seat in southern Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district. The Tuichawng seat is currently held by the BJP. Some changes have been made to the list of candidates announced by the ZPM, citing the health conditions of some of the nominees.
The Congress, apart from two assembly seats – Palak in Siaha district and Tuichawng in Lawngtlai district – has finalized its candidates for 38 constituencies. The party is gearing up for fierce competition in the upcoming elections.
Chief Minister Zoramthanga will seek re-election from the Aizawl East-I seat, which he won in the 2018 polls. ZPM leader and chief ministerial candidate Lalduhoma will also try his luck again from the Serchhip seat, which he won in 2018 and retained in the 2021 by-polls following his disqualification.
State PCC chief and former finance minister Lalsawta is set to contest from Aizawl West-III, indicating the Congress’s determination to put up a strong fight.
Deputy Chief Minister Tawnluia is once again seeking fortune from his home turf, the Tuichang constituency.
As the Mizoram assembly elections draw closer, the battle lines are clearly drawn, and political parties are gearing up for intense campaigning. The elections will not only determine the state’s political landscape but also reflect the will of the people as they exercise their democratic right to choose their representatives.
