Politicsparty.com assessed the Mizoram Elections Scenario by conducting a Survey of all the 40 Assembly Constituencies.

THE WAR SCENE

The Mizo National Front is in Government for Two Consecutive Terms from 1998 to 2008.

The Chief Minister Pu Zoramthanga is campaigning aggressively for a Third Consecutive Term.

The Main Opposition is the erstwhile Ruling Party the Indian national Congress led by President Sonia.

There is Now a Big Third Force in Mizoram. The Three Party, United Democratic Alliance.

United Democratic Alliance (UDA), is a new Coalition formed with the merger of the Mizoram People’s Conference (MPC), the Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNF) and the Zoram Kuthnathawktu Pawl (ZKP), a civic organisation.

EVERYONE IS CORRUPT

The Congress Party accuses the Mizo National Front of stinking corruption.
A long list of charges against the Chief Minister and Ministers is loud mouthed against the MNF.

The MNF accuses the Congress Party of being most corrupt when in Government. The vulgar display of wealth by all the Congress Ex-Ministers and MLAs is explained in detail to the voters by the MNF speakers.

The UDA accuses both the Congress Party and the MNF as equally corrupt and equally responsible for the Mis-Governance of Mizoram for decades.

Relatively insulated from concerns of the heartland, local issues hold greater sway here. The state is still facing strife between different tribes with the dominant Mizos calling the shots. A few smaller tribes feel unprotected but have little clout to make their presence felt. The church plays a dominant role in the elections and can also be a deciding factor.

The dominant issue of earlier days was insurgency.
Development is the main issue for the MNF government which seeks to highlight its work during its rule. During polls, local tribes also raise demand for eviction of Chakma tribals who have been settled there after their displacement from Bangladesh.

For the Congress, corruption in the government is the main plank.

MNF PERFORMANCE IMPRESSES VOTERS

The Mizo national Front has performed well in the area of Infrastructure. Every Village has an Excellent Road. The entire State has a superb Road Network. No other North-East State can match the MNF Government in making Mizoram the Best State for Roads.

The MNF also claims that it has converted a State of Militant Violence in to an atmosphere of Peace. The Congress Party disputes the claim by citing several violent incidents perpetrated from across the Myanmar (Burma) and Bangladesh Borders.

CHURCHES ARE POLITICAL FORCE

The church, which dominates, also raises alcoholism as an issue.
An important factor in Mizoram is the Mizoram People’s Forum, a conglomeration of major churches and NGOs. It has not expressed support to any political formation yet. Campaigning for violence-free polls, free from militants’ involvement, it has also sought the cooperation of NSCN-IM, the most influential underground outfit in the northeast.

The MPF also issued poll diktats to political parties and how to go ahead with their campaigning and choosing candidates. The Presbyterian Church, the largest Christian church in the northeastern state with over 455,700 members, urged political parties not to nominate candidates who are corrupt or indulged in immoral activities.

“The political parties are requested to put up candidates who have a clean image and good moral character and who refrain from social evils,” said the Presbyterian church message, read out in all the 1,086 churches in the state. It strongly discouraged door-to-door campaign “as it always leads to covert use of money by political parties, candidates and party workers to persuade electors”.

2003

In the 2003 assembly elections, the ruling MNF secured 21 seats and the Congress 12, while seven went to smaller parties.

2008 DECEMBER SCENARIO

The MNF, which retained power on its own in 2003, has now decided to continue its ties with the MCP and forge an alliance with smaller political outfits to come back to power for the third consecutive term in the assembly polls. Facing a strong anti-incumbency wave after ruling Mizoram for the past 10 years, the MNF has decided to have an electoral tie-up with the Mara Democratic Front (MDF) in south Mizoram and the Hmar People’s Convention (HPC) in Aizawl district.

The ruling front will also continue its ties with the Mizoram Congress Party to secure the magic figure of 21 in the 40-member Assembly.

The main opposition Congress Party, headed by Lal Thanhawla, a former chief minister, has also entered into an electoral alliance with the Mipui Tangrual Pawl (MTP) or People’s Front. The Congress has also increased its strength by including a breakaway faction of the Mizoram Congress Party (MCP) in its fold. This could significantly improve the prospects of the Congress in the coming poll.

Lal Thanhawla’s main Congress handicap is the charge of corruption. A former legislator and MTP leader Bualhranga, along with Rev. Zairema had filed a PIL against him on corruption charges. The case is still pending in a special court.

Politicsparty.com PREDICTION

Mizoram Voters could either Deliver a Narrow Victory for the MNF or a Hung Assembly.

The UDA and the Congress Party are dividing the Anti-MNF Votes and thus creating an advantage for the MNF.

The Congress Party could be humiliated by the Mizoram Voters by plummeting it to Third Place behind the Mizo National Front and the United Democratic Alliance.

FINISHLINE

MNF Once a Symbol of Insurgency is now a Symbol of Democracy thus liberating Mizoram from violent insurgency.

Irrespective of whether the MNF wins a Record Third Term in Government, Or there is a Hung Assembly Or the Congress Party collapses to Third Place the State of Mizoram is truly part of Indian Democracy and everything augers well for India.