Headlines       Vol. 1 Issue 38-39

Mar 7 - Mar 21 , 1999

Khawbung seats also falls into MNF kitty Though the Congress has maintained its spectacular electoral performances in the recently held by-elections, the party's fortune in Mizoram remained unchanged. The party lost the Khawbung Assembly seat to Mizo National Front (MNF) in the by-election which was necessitated after Chief Minister Zoramthanga vacated the seat. Chief Minister Zoramthanga contested from two Assembly seats in the last Assembly elections. He won from both the constituencies. He retained Champai vacating Khawbung. In the by-election K. Vanlalauva of the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) defeated his nearest Congress rival B. Zaliana by a margin of 2345 votes. The MNF candidate secured 4606 votes, while the Mr. Zaliana managed to get 2261 votes. Altogether 7582 votes were cast and about 71 per cent of the total electorate exercised their franchaise. The result of the Khawbung by-poll has helped the ruling MNF to achieve simple majority in the 40-member Mizoram Assembly. The MNF has now 21 members in the State Assembly, while its poll partner Mizoram People's Conference (MPF) has 12 members. The alliance is also enjoying the support of the lone independent MLA H. Rammawi. On the other hand, Opposition Congress has six members in the State Assembly. After the worst-ever defeat in the State in November last, the Congress tried to arrest its declining popularity in the State by fielding B. Zaliana in the by-election. But in the final analysis Mr. Zaliana was no match to Mr. Vanlalauva, an associate of former Mizoram chief minister Laldenga. This is Mr. Vanlalauva's third win from the Khawbung constituency. He was earlier elected from this constituency in 1987 and 1989.

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