ZPM sweeps Mizoram; big salute Lalduhoma

NEW DELHI: Within just four years of getting approved by the Election Commission, the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) took control of Mizoram by registering a landslide victory in the assembly elections. ZPM soared high, securing 27 of the total 40 seats.

ZPM leader 73-year-old ex-IPS officer Lalduhoma will meet Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati on Tuesday and stake his claim to form the cabinet. This is the first time since 1984 that a party other than Congress or MNF is coming to power in Mizoram.

The ZPM swept the state leaving the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), BJP and Congress as mere spectators. Within an hour of the counting of votes, the party started leading in 21 seats. The ruling MNF got only 10 seats this time. In 2018, it had seized power of the state from Congress by winning 26 seats.

Chief Minister Zoramthanga and Deputy Chief Minister Tawnluia suffered defeat. The Congress, which had four seats, was reduced to one (contested in 40 seats), whereas the BJP increased its seats from one to two. Communal riots in Manipur also had an impact on the elections in Mizoram.

Voting percent

• ZPM: 37.86% (22.9% in 2018)
• MNF: 35.10% (37.7% in 2018)
• Congress: 20.82% (29.98% in 2018)
• BJP: 5.06% (8.09% in 2018)