Aizawl, Dec 8 (IANS) Veteran Congress leader Lalthanhawla is poised to become chief minister of a Congress government in Mizoram for the fourth time with the party sweeping the polls winning an absolute majority in the 40-member state legislature.
The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) faced a humiliating defeat with the Congress storming back to power after being in political wilderness for 10 years.
According to latest trends and results available, the Congress had won 28 seats and was leading in one, while the MNF managed to win three, the Mizo People's Conference bagging two and, the Maraland Democratic Party, and the Zoram Nationalist Party, both small regional players, bagging one seat each out of the 35 results declared so far.
In a major upset, Chief minister Zoramthanga lost from both the seats he contested - losing the North Champai seat to Congress opponent and a first timer T.T. Zothansanga by 1,248 votes and was humbled by Congress candidate Jh Rothuma in the South Champai seat.
'This is a verdict for change and a big snub to the 10-year-old misrule and corruption of the MNF government,' 66-year-old Lalthanhawla, the Congress chief ministerial candidate, told IANS.
'We are committed to providing a stable government with our focus on development and well being of the people.'
The Congress party has already announced Lalthanhawla's candidature for the chief minister's post although it would be formalized after a meeting of the winning legislators on Tuesday. The MNF accepted defeat.
'We accept the mandate and would work like a responsible opposition,' outgoing chief minister Zoramthanga said.
The former three time chief minister and Congress leader Lalthanhawla won both the seats he contested winning the South Tipui seat against F. Lalthanzuala of the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) by 96 votes and the Serchhip assembly seat by 952 votes.
P.C. Lalthanliana of the Congress won the Lunglei North seat defeating his nearest MNF rival by 705 votes, while Congress candidate R.L. Pianmawia won the Tuivawl seat. He defeated his MNF rival by 473 votes.
Congress candidate R. Lalzirliana won the Tawi seat defeating his nearest MNF candidate by 1,211 votes. In the Turial seat, Hminhdailova Khiangte of the Congress party defeated his MNF rival by 1,022 votes. Congress candidate H. Liansailova won the Aizawl North seat defeating his MNF rival by 266 votes.
Nihar Kanti Chakma of the Congress party defeated his nearest MNF rival in the West Tuipui seat by 1,540 votes, while S. Hiato of the same party won the Saiha seat beating his MNF rival.
Congress candidate L. Ralte won the Hachhek seat defeating his MNF rival. Meanwhile, victory celebrations have erupted with jubilant Congress supporters dancing and singing on the streets of Mizoram.
'This is a great victory as the MNF government swindled millions of rupees in central funds meant for Mizoram's development. The MNF government was indulging in rampant corruption and the people gave them a fitting reply in the vote,' said T. Sailo, a Congress supporter.
The MNF was in power in Mizoram for the last two terms.
In the last assembly elections held in 2003, the ruling MNF secured 21 seats while Congress bagged 12 and seven went to other smaller parties.
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