Mizoram elections: How a dark horse can disrupt decades-old equation
Mizoram has seen a two-party rule, with the Congress and the Mizo National Front (MNF) repeating governments, each ruling for two consecutive terms. But this time the poll math has become complex with the MNF falling out with its ally the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a resurgent Congress under a new leader, and the rise of a new party that promises change and might emerge as the dark horse.
The MNF, which is allied with the BJP's Northeast Democratic Alliance, won the elections in 2018 elections, bagging 27 seats while the Congress was able to win five and the BJP and the TMC bagged one each.
The Zoram People's Movement (ZPM), whose candidates contested independently, as the new party was recognised later, won six seats.
MNF's frenemy Though the MNF is still the BJP's ally, it has veered away from the national party on several issues. The MNF has banked on Mizo nationalist sentiment, and has been settling Zo tribal people, who have the same ethnic roots and Christian religion as Mizo people, in Mizoram. Zo people have crossed over into the state from neighbouring Manipur after the riots there and earlier from Myanmar.
Manipur’s ethnic turmoil has emerged as a key factor as Mizoram hosts refugees from there, putting the ruling MNF, an NDA constituent, in a delicate spot. The MNF has been trying to distance itself from the BJP.
Chief Minister Zoramthanga, who heads the MNF, has said that he defied the Central government which had instructed him to push back all the Zo refugees from Myanmar, also saying that he was not afraid of the Central government. The MNF has maintained that its support to the NDA is issue based.
