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Guwahati: Mizoram Chief Minister and President of the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), Zoramthanga,expressed confidence on Tuesday that his party would overcome anti-incumbency and retain power in the northeastern state.
The election to choose all 40 members of the 9th state assembly is currently underway, with a total of 174 candidates, including 16 women, vying for victory. While the ruling MNF, the opposition Zoram Peoples Movement, and the Congress are contesting all the seats, the BJP has put forward candidates for 23.
“I have full confidence that we will be able to form the government with an absolute majority,” the 79-year-old stated before casting his vote in the Aizawl North-II constituency. CM Zoramthanga is himself running for the Aizawl East-I seat.
Despite the MNF’s participation in the BJP-led NDA government at the national level, the two parties are not in a formal alliance in Mizoram. Zoramthanga clarified that if the MNF does not secure an absolute majority, there is no question of a tie-up with the BJP in the state.
“There won’t be a hung assembly in Mizoram. It will be an MNF government. I have full confidence in that. While the NDA exists at the national level, in Mizoram, we do not have any alliance with the BJP or any other party,” stated the Chief Minister.
“Thus far, the BJP has not approached us for any post-poll coalition, and we have not initiated any discussions with them. We are a partner of the NDA at the national level, but our support to them is based solely on specific issues,” Zoramthanga added.
Mizoram has provided shelter to nearly 33,000 refugees from Myanmar, around 800 from Bangladesh, and more than 13,000 people displaced by ethnic conflicts in Manipur. The Chief Minister emphasized that the refugee issue would play a crucial role in the MNF’s electoral success.
“The presence of refugees from Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Manipur, currently seeking refuge in Mizoram, will be a significant advantage for the MNF in this election because these people have faith in the state government. The MNF government in Mizoram is needed to provide them with food and shelter,” he remarked .
