In a significant shift in Mizoram's political landscape, Chief Minister Zoramthanga resigned following the Zoram People's Movement's (ZPM) decisive victory in the state assembly elections.
The ZPM, an alliance of six regional parties, has emerged as a formidable force, winning 27 seats effectively ending the long-standing duopoly of the Mizo National Front (MNF) and Congress in the state.
Zoramthanga met Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati on the evening of December 4th, 2023, to formally tender his resignation after his party's defeat.
The MNF, which Zoramthanga leads, managed to secure only ten seats and was leading in three others, with several senior leaders, including Zoramthanga himself, trailing or having lost their seats.
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The ZPM's rise to power marks a new chapter in Mizoram's politics, with the party's President Lalduhoma, who won the elections from Serchhip, likely to become the next Chief Minister.
Founded by Lalduhoma, a former IPS officer, MLA, and ex-Member of Parliament, the ZPM has undergone a political transformation since its formation in 2018. It has positioned itself as a secular movement aiming to protect religious minorities and address various issues within Mizoram.
This election not only signifies the end of MNF's rule but also highlights the diminishing influence of the Congress party, which has been reduced to a marginal presence in the state assembly. The ZPM's comprehensive win includes all ten Aizawl seats and all four seats in Lunglei, Mizoram's second-largest town, indicating a sweeping endorsement of their platform and leadership.
As Mizoram awaits the official resignation of Zoramthanga and the formation of a new government under the ZPM, the state looks forward to a new era of governance that promises to uphold the interests and identity of the Mizo people.