Northeast Desk, 4th December: In a seismic shift in Mizoram’s political landscape, Chief Minister Zoramthanga resigns following the Zoram People’s Movement’s (ZPM) decisive victory in the state assembly elections.
ZPM, an alliance of six regional parties, emerges as a formidable force, winning 27 seats and breaking the long-standing duopoly of the Mizo National Front (MNF) and Congress.
Zoramthanga formally tenders his resignation to Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati on December 4, 2023, after his party’s defeat. The MNF secures only ten seats, with Zoramthanga and several senior leaders trailing or losing their seats.
ZPM President Lalduhoma, victorious in Serchhip, is poised to become the next Chief Minister, marking a new chapter in Mizoram’s politics.
Founded by Lalduhoma, a former IPS officer, MLA, and ex-Member of Parliament, ZPM has undergone a transformative journey since its 2018 formation. Positioning as a secular movement, it aims to protect religious minorities and address Mizoram’s various challenges.
This election signals the end of MNF’s rule and the diminishing influence of the Congress party, reduced to a marginal presence. ZPM’s comprehensive win, including all ten Aizawl seats and all four seats in Lunglei, indicates broad endorsement of their platform and leadership.
As Mizoram anticipates Zoramthanga’s official resignation and the ZPM-led government formation, the state looks forward to a new governance era, promising to uphold the interests and identity of the Mizo people.