Aizawl, December 4 (IANS): The Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) headed by IPS officer-turned-politician Lalduhoma secured an absolute majority wresting power for the first time in Mizoram on Monday and delivering a crushing defeat to the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF).
Accepting the defeat, outgoing Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga would be meeting Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati in the Raj Bhavan before the evening to submit his resignation letter.
The ZPM has won 27 seats in the 40-member Assembly while the MNF won 10 seats.
The opposition Congress, which governed the mountainous border state for many years, secured only one seat -- Lawngtlai West seat.
BJP candidate and former MNF Minister K. Beichhua, who joined the saffron party weeks before the November 7 Assembly election, and his party colleague K. Hrahmo won their Siaha and Palak seats respectively.
Former Mizoram Assembly Speaker Lalrinliana Sailo, who quit MNF days before the polls and joined BJP, lost his Mamit seat to the MNF candidate H Lalzirliana.
In the 2018 elections, MNF bagged 26 of the 40 member-Assembly, while the ZPM got eight seats. The Congress had bagged five seats and the BJP had managed to win one seat in the last elections.
ZPM’s President and party’s Chief Ministerial candidate Lalduhoma in a multi corner contest retained his Serchhip seat defeating his nearest MNF rival J. Malsawmzuala Vanchhawng by a margin of 2,983 votes.
The IPS officer-turned-politician Lalduhoma, who secured 8,314 votes, was elected to the state Assembly for the second consecutive time.
ZPM Chief Ministerial candidate Lalduhoma after winning his seat told the media that on Tuesday or Wednesday he would meet the state Governor to stake his claim to form the government and the swearing-in ceremony would be held within this month.
MNF candidate and Chief Minister Zoramthanga lost his Aizawl East-1 seat where ZPM nominee Lalthansanga won by a margin of 2,101 votes.
Deputy Chief Minister and MNF candidate Tawnluia also lost his Tuichang seat to ZPM’s W. Chhuanawma by a margin of 909 votes.
Several other MNF Ministers also lost their respective seats.
The counting of votes for the Mizoram Assembly polls, held on November 7, began at 8 a.m. amid elaborate security arrangements in all 11 districts of the state.
