AIZAWL, Dec 2: The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) today secured a simple majority by winning 21 seats in the 40-member Mizoram Assembly, while the Congress secured 12 out of 38 results declared so far today, reports PTI. Only one more result is yet to be declared. Counting for the Suangpuilawl constituency, which witnessed kidnapping of three candidates in the November 20 election, was not taken up as the Election Commission was yet to take a decision. Chief Minister Zoramthanga was returned victorious from both Champai and Kolasih constituencies.
At Champai on the Mizoram-Myanmar border, Zoramthanga defeated his Congress predecessor and rival Lal Thangawla, by 265 votes in a triangular contest. He has won repeatedly from Champai since 1987 after his MNF party came overground. Zoramathanga won from Kolasih by 91 votes defeating C Lalbiakthanga of the Mizoram People?s Conference. Lal Thanhawla who also contested from two constituencies was successful in Serchhin constituency where he defeated an independent, supported by the ruling MNF Jerome Sawilaia by a margin of 927 votes.
MPC chief and leader of the Opposition Lalhmingthanga won from Lunlei South constituency defeating his nearest MNF rival K Lalsanga by 62 votes. Lalduhawma, president of the Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) alliance partner of the MPC, who contested from two constituencies ? Ratu and Aizawl South-II won the former seat by beating Deputy Speaker Lalthan Kunga by 236 votes.
Meanwhile, Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, whose party Mizo National Front (MNF) secured an absolute majority in the assembly polls today winning 21 seats, said that he would stake claim to form the government in the next 24 hours. Zoramthanga, the party chief, told reporters at his residence after the declaration of the results of the 40-member house that the MNF legislature party would elect its leader and stake claim to form the government within 24 hours.
Attributing his party?s victory to the good performance of his government, Zoramthanga said the opposition charges of corruption did not stick as they (the Congress) had a corruption-tainted leader. Though the MNF could form the government on its own, Zoramthanga said ?there was still place for like-minded parties? in his ministry. The MNF, which had contested the 1998 elections in alliance with the Mizoram Peoples Conference, went it alone this time.