AIZAWL: The Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) — a new regional force stormed to power in Mizoram on Monday by winning 27 out of the 40 Assembly seats, breaking the dual hegemony of the Mizo National Front (MNF) and the Indian National Congress (INC).
The incumbent MNF got only 10 seats while the Congress faced its worst debacle, managing to win only one seat. On the other hand, the BJP improved its tally from one in 2018 to two
Another important development was the loss of the incumbent Chief Minister and MNF candidate Zoramthanga in the Aizawl East-1 seat, losing to ZPM’s Lalthansanga by a margin of 2,101 votes.
Pu Lalduhoma: The New CM
Pu Lalduhoma is a former IPS officer who served as the security in-charge for then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He resigned from the IPS in 1984, joined the Indian National Congress, and was later elected to the Lok Sabha that year.
Lalduhoma ended up becoming the first MP to be disqualified under the anti-defection law in 1988 after he resigned from Congress. He has been involved in state politics ever since and was elected to the Assembly in 2003 and 2008 from his earlier party, the Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP).
The ZPM was formed only in 2017, and it contested for the first time as a recognised political party in this election. Its rise has been striking marking the first time that a party other than the MNF or the Congress has been voted to power in the state. The party’s Chief Ministerial candidate Lalduhoma has led the party from the front since its inception.
After forming the majority, the CM candidate said, "The youth of Mizoram, are fed up with the existing system. They are fed up with the existing political system, in which their fathers or forefathers have been engaged with. So they want to set themselves free and, try to establish a new system with a new leadership, with new principles. That is what the expectation that the youth are having. This time, the number of voters of woman are more than that of men. My government is mainly formed by women. So we are grateful to them. And we are committed to uplifting their condition."
Ending the dual monopoly of Congress and MNF
One of the striking elements of the growth of ZPM is how it eroded both the Congress and MNF. In 2018, the MNF had come to power by uprooting the power of the Congress. This time around the workers of the Grand Old Party illustrated that their vote share had been overtaken by the ZPM. On the other hand, the MNF witnessed a similar trend with ZPM winning in all of the strongholds of the ruling party in Aizawl.
The rise of BJP: ZPM and NDA equation
The Opposition has previously alleged that the ZPM and the BJP had a secret understanding. "The BJP is disappointed with MNF and we think they are finding a new partner in ZPM," state Congress President Lalswata told The New Indian.
Meanwhile, the ZPM has refuted the allegations. ZPM MLA Dr. Vanlalthlana had told The New Indian that the BJP's treatment of Manipur has become the sole reason why they will not enter into an alliance with them.
Speaking to the media after winning the election, Lalduhoma stated that the party would not join any major political party at the national level. "We want to maintain a positive relationship with the government of India, regardless of who is in power and we are not going to join any political group at the national level" he said.
The BJP, however, has seen massive growth in the state, winning in two constituencies. Party candidates K Hramo and Dr K Beichhua won from Palak and Siaha constituencies, respectively.
The saffron party has extensively tried to grow its foothold in the state, as it gradually attempts to gain influence in the Chakma and Mara district councils.In the recent election for the Mara Autonomous District, the saffron party secured a decisive victory by winning 41 out of 99 village councils. While, the BJP has been able to garner support from communities such as the Brus and the Chakmas too, having established a strong grassroots organisation, criticising the newly overthrown MNF government for insufficient development in the district council areas.
Course of action
The ZPM wave was led by neutral voters, who were done with the tried and tested formula of the Congress. The literacy rate in Mizoram has seen an upward trend and is presently 91.33 per cent as per the latest population census. Speaking to more voters across Mizoram, a major part of their voting pattern can be perceived in the domain of development.
A cafe owner just near the Lengpui Airport stated that road connectivity and development are the key issues that concern him. "This time, more than party affiliation, we are more focused on the candidates. As a neutral voter, people are attracted to ZPM because we have already given a chance to Congress and the MNF and now we want an alternative," he said.
Rosie Ralte, a first-time voter from Aizawl West, said that development is the key issue for her when she went to vote. Political analysts have also illustrated a similar trend, revealing that neutral voters have presently swung towards the ZPM.
The New Indian spoke to Jangkhongam Doungel, a political analyst and a Professor at the Mizoram University, who articulated that the fight was always between MNF and ZPM. "The people of Mizoram don't prefer a hung Assembly, and the wave of ZPM, has helped it to scale to the single largest party," said Jangkhongam Doungel, “As far as the BJP is considered, the party has filed former MNF and Congress defectors (into its fold), which helped the party,” stated Doungel.