LIVE | Mizoram poll results: ZPM gets majority, MNF wins 7 seats; BJP bags 2 and Congres 1
DyCM loses, CM trailing
The Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) crossed the halfway mark in early trends and was leading in 25 seats, besides winning one, as votes were being counted for the assembly elections in Mizoram on Monday morning, according to the Election Commission (EC).
The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) was leading in 10 seats, the BJP in three and the Congress in one, it said.
Mizoram has 40 assembly seats, and 21 is the majority mark.
Deputy CM Tawnluia lost to ZPM candidate W Chhuanawma in the Tuichang seat by a margin of 909 votes.
Chief Minister Zoramthanga was trailing in the Aizawl East-1 seat to ZPM's Lalthansanga after two rounds of counting.
Health Minister R Lalthangliana was trailing in the South Tuipui seat, and ZPM candidate Jeje Lalpekhlua was leading.
ZPM's CM candidate Lalduhoma was leading in the Serchhip seat.
(PTI)MNF takes lead
MNF has taken an early lead as the initial trends poured in for the assembly elections in Mizoram on Monday morning.
The Election Commission website showed that the MNF was leading in five seats, while the ZPM was leading in three. BJP and the Congress were leading in one each.
Will be part of next govt: Mizoram BJP chief
BJP’s Mizoram unit president Vanlalhmuaka on Monday said his party will be a part of the next government in the state, as the counting of votes for the 40 assembly seats was underway.
Speaking to PTI, Vanlalhmuaka said he was confident that his party will win at least three seats.
“We are certain that we will win three seats. We are expecting more than five seats. Let’s wait for the results,” he said.
“The BJP will participate in the new government which will be formed soon,” he said.
In the last assembly polls, held in 2018, the BJP had won one seat. The party fielded candidates in 23 seats this time.
Though the ruling MNF was a part of the BJP-led North-East Democratic Alliance in the region, and supported the NDA at the Centre, the two parties stayed away from each other in the state. (PTI)
Leaders speak ahead of counting
Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Sunday (December 3) exuded confidence that the MNF will return to power by crossing the magic number of 21 in the 40-member Assembly and said he will prioritise resource mobilisation to improve the financial condition of the northeastern state, if the party forms the government.
Zoramthanga’s key opponent, Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) chief Lalduhoma also claimed that his party is confident of winning an absolute majority in the assembly.
“I believe we shall be able to form the government by crossing the magic number of 21, and without the help of other parties, we will form the government,” Zoramthanga said in an interview with PTI Video.
He said if the MNF returns to power, his government will prioritise resource mobilisation to overcome the financial problem of the state.
“If we form the government, the most important (factor) would be the financial matter...Financial problem is the biggest problem. Resource mobilisation will certainly be my priority. And the same time, a lot of things have to be done for the welfare of people and in the fields of agriculture, horticulture, education, and health.
“But without finance, nothing can move. Resource mobilisation will be the top priority,” the three-time chief minister said.
He also alleged that during the COVID-19 crisis, the Centre had promised to provide funds, but it “failed” to deliver.
Asked about the exit poll predictions that Mizoram may witness a hung assembly with no party crossing the majority mark of 21 seats, Zoramthanga said, “I hope such a situation will not be there. If it (hung assembly) comes, it is the responsibility of leaders of every party to see that they can form the government.”
ZPM leader and the party’s chief ministerial candidate Lalduhoma said his party is “confident of winning an absolute majority in the assembly”.
Lalduhoma, a former IPS officer who turned politician, also claimed that there would not be a fractured mandate or hung assembly. “I am very sure that such a situation will not arise…we are quite confident (of winning the elections),” he said in an interview with PTI Video.
He also said, “The chief minister is a false prophet. If he says they are going to form a government that means they are not forming. That is why we have confidence.” Lalduhoma also said that they will give priority to preparing the state budget which will be completely different from the budgets in the past if the ZPM comes to power.
In the 2018 polls, the MNF had bagged 26 seats and the ZPM won 8, relegating the Congress, which secured 5, to the third place. The BJP opened its account by winning one seat.
The MNF won two more seats in the subsequent bypolls. (PTI)