Mizoram remains with MNF
There were predictions of a hung Assembly. However, belying political pundits wrong, Zoramthanga retained power.

WITH bigger states like Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh going to polls, political analysts were busy speculating the possible political formations in those states and Mizoram was pushed to one corner. Surprising it may sound but no pre-poll surveys or exit poll was conducted for Mizoram by the so-called ‘national media’.

But some analysts did ponder on the possible results and few expected Zoramthanga to retain power in Mizoram. With a strong anti-incumbency wave and public mood in favour MPC-ZNP combine, there were predictions of a hung assembly. However, belying political pundits wrong, Zoramthanga retained power, proving his toughness. 

Zoramthanga was sworn in as the Mizoram Chief Minister for the second time on December 4. A 13-member (8 cabinet ministers and 5 ministers of state) Ministry was also administered oath of office along with him. The Cabinet Ministers are Tawnluia, R Tlamingthanga, Lalrinchhana, Aichinga, Dr R Lathanliagana, H Vanlalauva, B Lalthengliana and H Rammawai. The Ministers of State are K. Vanlalauva, K. Sagthuama, C. Lalrinsinga, Z. H. Ropuia and Dr. Lalzama.

However, due to opposition protest, the swearing-in ceremony was delayed by seven hours. Chief Minister Zoramthanga had to spend some anxious moments before taking oath of office. The opposition Congress and the MPC-ZNP combine had called for a dawn to dusk on December 4. They were demanding the release of the 20 supporters who broke three EVMs of Suangpuilawn constituency on December 3 and repolling in the same constiuency. The trouble began when the Chief Minister was on his way to Raj Bhavan and was stopped by hundred-odd protestors, who pelted stones at his convoy. The Police lobbed tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. However this did not deter the demonstrators and they brought the whole city to a grinding halt. As a result, the entire administration had to wait on the lawns of the Raj Bhawan for the arrival of Zoramthanga to take the oath of office. Mr. Zoramthanga later ordered the release of 20 protestors who were arrested and remarked he did not want any trouble on the auspicious day. On December 3, following the EC directives, Returning Officer of Aizawl district, took up the counting of Suangpuilawn constiuency. The voters as well as threat from the militants to other candidates did not take up the counting for the said constituency earlier because of poll boycott in one of the polling centres. Three candidates of the constituency were abducted on November 19 but later released on the morning of the polling day (November 20).

The counting agents of all parties excluding MNF, demanded a repoll in the entire constituency, and when this was not allowed by the EC, the agents went on a rampage destroying three EVMs and forcing the Returning Officer to abandon the counting procedure. Altogether 20 people, including two women, were arrested. The MNF has 21 seats in the 40-member Mizoram Assembly, of which Mr Zoramthanga has won from two constituencies. In Champai, he defeated state Congress president Lalthanhawla. However, in the other seat Kolashib, he scraped through with just 91 votes. He is likely to retain Champai and vacate Kolashib. The Opposition felt that if they could force repolling in Suangpuilawn, they would have an outside chance of winning it by making the contest direct between the Opposition and the MNF. Moreover, if they could win Kolashib through the same procedure, Mizoram could plunge into a major constitutional crisis with both MNF and combined opposition having 20 MLAs each. Congress won 12 seats, MPC-ZNP 5, MDF 1. Elections were held on November 20 and the results declared on December 2.

MNF ready for coalition

Sensing trouble Chief Minister Zoramthanga, soon after taking oath, declared that the Mizo National Front (MNF) was ready to form a coalition government with Mizo Peoples Council (MPC) and Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP). He further claimed that his party had no problem in taking along the regional parties with them. ’’Our doors are open and they have to show the interest,’’ Mr. Zoramthanga said.

He virtually admitted that his government not yet comfortably placed. The MNF has 21 seats but physically only 20 as the Chief Minister has won from two constituencies. The MPC and ZNP formed alliance in the poll and emerged as the third force in the State by winning five seats.

The MPC-ZNP alliance did not win many seats but many fear that the alliance might have entered into a secret understanding with the Congress. Zoramthanga’s call for coalition government is aimed at preventing any alliance between the Congress and the combine.

Interestingly, the MNF had an alliance with the MPC in the 1998. A rebel-turned-politician ZORAMTHANGA’s life history is no less than a thriller. A rebel-turned-politician, he retained power in recently concluded elections, shrugging anti-incumbency and stiff challenge from the Congress and MPC-ZNP, another regional force whose final tally was far below expectations. Born in 1944 in Samthang, he was a schoolteacher briefly before joining the Mizo National Front (MNF). He soon rose up the ranks of the MNF and became a favourite of legendary Mizo militant leader Laldenga. He had entered China for procuring arms and escaped to Karachi and stayed there for six years. As number two in the Mizo National Front (MNF) during its two-decade old struggle, his ordeal in the jungles, escapades and hideouts could be a plot for at least a dozen thrillers. He and Mr. Laldenga had gone to China to broker arms deal and after Bangladesh’s independence they reached Karachi through Yangon and stayed in the port city for six years. From there he launched the peace initiative, meeting Indian representatives in Thailand, Afghanistan, Iran and Switzerland.

In 1979 he was held captive by the Indian government, but he managed to escape to the jungles of Arakan and became MNF vice-president. It was he and Mr. Laldenga who guided the peace process, which resulted in the historic Mizo accord in 1986. In the interim government of MNF and Congress, led by Laldenga he was a Minister. When Laldenga died in 1990, Zoramthanga became the president of the party. Zoramthanga had never lost an election and won from the Champai constituency for five successive terms. Mr. Zoramthanga led the MNF to victory in 1998 defeating the Congress. Today his sole objective is to make Mizoram a model state in the country and then establish a lasting peace in the North East.

He is the Centre’s point man in restoring peace in the region. He is using his old links to bring other militants groups of the region to the negotiating table and had earlier held several parleys with the NSCN (I-M) leaders at Bangkok. On his role as a regional peace broker, he said if the Centre wanted his services he was always available to play the role of a facilitator. Having played a crucial role in the Naga peace process Mr. Zoramthanga was also instrumental in getting some Garo underground groups to the negotiating table. This has, however, caused heartburn in the Meghalaya Government.