A NEW FORCE IN AIZAWL

THE ZPM BREAKS THE MNF-CONGRESS STRANGLEHOLD TO SEIZE POWER IN MIZORAM. FRESH FACES AND PROMISE OF CHANGE DID THE TRICK

- KAUSHIK DEKA

On December 4, the declaration of results of the assembly election in Mizoram heralded a new era of power politics in the northeastern state. The Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) stormed into power, winning 27 seats in the 40-member assembly. For the first time ever, neither the Mizo National Front (MNF) nor the Congress will form a government. Governance has oscillated between the two parties since 1987, when Mizoram attained statehood. ZPM's victory confirms that voters in Mizoram, particularly the youth, see it as a credible alternative to existing political forces. Formed in 2017 as a coalition of six small regional parties-Mizoram People's Conference, Zoram Nationalist Party, Zoram Exodus Movement, Zoram Decentralisation Front, Zoram Reformation Front and Mizoram People's Party-it got recognition from the Election Commission in 2019. In the previous assembly poll, ZPM leaders had contested as Independent candidates and won eight seats.