Mizoram Polls: MNF Leader Zoramthanga Takes Oath as Chief Minister
Will the Mizo National Front unseat the Congress party in its last Northeast bastion?
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Exit Polls Predict Comfortable Lead for Mizo National Front
Mizoram Election Results: Counting of Votes to Begin at 8 AM
Mizoram Election Results: Counting Begins for All 40 Seats
Mizoram Election Results: Congress Opens Account, Leads in Two Seats
Mizoram Election Results: MNF Leads in Three Constituencies
MNF President, Zoramthanga took oath as the Chief Minister of Mizoram on Saturday, 15 December.
The Mizo National Front won the state elections on Tuesday, 11 December. The BJP only managed to take a lead in one seat and other parties were leading in eight seats.
The sitting Chief Minister, Congress’ Lal Thanhawla lost both the two seats he was contesting in.
The Congress was hoping to hold on to their last bastion in the Northeast. However, most exit polls on 28 November had already predicted a win for the MNF in the state, unseating the Congress party after ten years.
- MNF emerged victor in the 40-member assembly with 26 seats.
- On Tuesday, 11 December, counting for all 40 seats began, with results expected the same day.
- Exit polls predicted the MNF leading in the 40-member Assembly, with Congress coming in second.
- Mizoram went to polls on 28 November.
- The majority mark in the 40-member Assembly is at 21 seats.
PM Modi Congratulates Mizoram's Newly-Elected Chief Minister Zoramthanga
MNF Not to Leave NDA and NEDA, Says Newly Elected CM Zoramthanga
The new Mizoram chief minister, Zoramthanga, on Saturday said his party, the Mizo National Front(MNF), has no intention of leaving the BJP-led NDA and North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA).
He said combating alcoholism and drug addiction would be one of the top priorities of his government and it would take up development projects from Day One.
"There is no intention at this juncture to leave the NDA and NEDA", he told reporters at Raj Bhavan in Aizawl after taking oath as the new chief minister of the state.
Although facing criticism from certain sections in the Christian-dominated state for joining hands with the BJP, Zoramthanga said the MNF's ties with the NDA and NEDA will continue.
He said that the main thrust of his government would be economic development.
“With vast lands available for cultivation, we hope to increase the per capita income so that it is among the highest in the country. Combating alcoholism and drug addiction would be one of the top priorities of the MNF ministry. Rehabilitation facilities would be established for those suffering from drug and alcohol addiction.”Zoramthanga, as told to PTI.
Zoramthanga Takes Oath as the Chief Minister of Mizoram
Mizo National Front (MNF) leader Zoramthanga was Saturday, 15 December, sworn in as Mizoram's new chief minister.
Zoramthanga was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor K Rajasekharan at a ceremony in Aizawl.
The MNF president took the oath in Mizo language.
Half of The Newly Elected Mizoram MLAs Are 1st Time Legislators
Half of the newly elected legislators in the Mizoram Assembly are first time MLAs, PTI reported.
The Mizo National Front (MNF) which bagged 26 seats in the Assembly election has 14 first time MLAs. Five out of the eight Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) legislators are also first time MLAs.
Of the five Congress MLAs, one will be a new entrant to the 40-member House.
Among the 20 first-time legislators, is T J Lalnuntluanga of the MNF who defeated outgoing Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla from Champhai South seat.
Ramthanmawia and Dr Z R Thiamsanga, both from the MNF, won from East Tuipui and Champhai North seats respectively in Champhai district. They are the senior-most first time MLAs aged 61 years and 60 years respectively.
Zoramthanga Likely to Swear in on 15 December
MNF President, Zoramthanga, is likely to swear in as the new Mizoram Chief Minister on Saturday, 15 December.
“I have discussed this evening with Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan about holding the swearing-in ceremony of the new Council of Ministers on 15 December. The Governor after talking with all the stakeholders will decide about the time and date of the oath-taking ceremony on Wednesday.”Zoramthanga, as reported by IANS
