It seems that Congress' ambitions to keep its last bastion in the Northeast safe suffered a major setback as the party has managed to capture lead in just 6 seats so far. As per the initial trends, the Mizo National Front (MNF) is way ahead on 27 seats and is all set to form a government. Congress also suffered a double blow as its prime face and the current Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla lost from both the constituencies.
Historically speaking, no party has won elections in Mizoram twice in the assembly elections since its formation in 1987. While MNF won in 1998 and 2003, Congress secured victories in 2008 and 2013.
The electoral trends clearly show the dissatisfaction of the people with the Thanhawla government. Poor infrastructure and the lifting of a liquor ban, which led to many deaths across the state, has put the Congress party in the crosshairs of the public. Congress has also seen a series of resignations, including that of the speaker, the home minister, and three MLAs. This reduced its assembly strength to 29 and created a wave in favour of the main opponent, MNF. Unemployment, underdeveloped agriculture, poverty are the other issues bogging the party down.
Led by former chief minister and former secessionist leader Zoramthanga, the MNF was founded by Laldenga in 1959 to protest against the inaction of the Indian government when a famine ravaged the Mizo areas of Assam. It staged a major uprising in 1966, followed by years of underground activities. In 1986, it signed the Mizo Accord with the Union government, renouncing secession and violence.
MNF victory also meant that Congress lost its foothold completely in the Northeast region.
