HOME | NEWS | ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS '98 | REPORT |
November 29, 1998
ELECTIONS '98
COMMENTARY
|
MNF-MPC get 34 of Mizoram's 40 seats. Lalthanhawla resignsThe Mizo National Front and Mizo People's Conference combine swept the assembly election in Mizoram, securing a majority of 34 seats in the 40-member state assembly. The MNF secured 21 seats while the MPC won 13, including a party-supported Independent. The ruling Congress suffered a humiliating defeat as it could win only six seats with Chief Minister Lalthanhawla losing from the Serchhip seat, which he had won four times in a row since 1984. Lalthanhawla today submitted his resignation to Governor A Padmanabhan. A communique from Raj Bhavan said the resignation of Lalthanhawla and his council of ministers had been accepted. The outgoing ministry has been asked to continue in office till alternative arrangements are made. The Congress retained its seats in Chakma-dominated Tuipang, Tlabung, Saiha and Lawngtlai in Chhimtuipui district and in Saitual. Lalthanhawla was defeated by MNF rival K Thangzuala by 698 votes in Serchhip. The MNF candidate polled 4,598 votes against Lalthanhawla's 3,900. Among the prominent winners are former chief minister Brigadier T Sailo (Mamit), MNF president Zoramthanga (both from Khawbung and Champhai) and MPC working president Lalhmingthanga (Aizawl East-I). The Congress also suffered a setback when Vaivenga, the assembly speaker, and Lalkhama, an advisor to Lalthanhawla, lost to their MNF rivals. While Vaivenga bit the dust in Bilkhawthlir against MNF nominee Lalchamliana, Lalkhama was defeated in north Vanlaiphai by Lalawia by 54 votes. In Khawbung, sitting MLA and state Janata Dal chief Hranthanga Colney finished a poor third to Zoramthanga. In the Chhimtuipui district of south Mizoram, a traditional Congress belt, the party retained both the Tlabung and Tuipang seats. While K T Rokhaw defeated United People's Party candidate T T Vakhu in Tuipang, N K Chakma won Tlabung, humbling Samson Zoramthanga of the MNF. The MNF bagged the Kawrthah, Khawzawl and Khawbung seats, where it was locked in a friendly contest with the MPC, despite having a pact with it. In Saitual, recounting was ordered after Congress nominee R Lalzirliana won by only six votes. There was, however, no change in the margin of votes after the recount.
The Results:Constituency Winners Runners-up |
HOME |
NEWS |
BUSINESS |
SPORTS |
MOVIES |
CHAT |
INFOTECH |
TRAVEL
SHOPPING HOME | BOOK SHOP | MUSIC SHOP | HOTEL RESERVATIONS PERSONAL HOMEPAGES | FREE EMAIL | FEEDBACK |