AIZAWL, Oct 9: These are the four seats to watch out for in Mizoram, where the assembly elections
will be held on November 7. The state has 40 constituencies.
1. Aizawl East-I: Chief minister Zoramthanga is contesting from Aizawl East-I, the seat he won in the
2018 assembly elections. He is tipped against Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) vice-president
Lalthansanga, who had successfully contested the assembly polls in 2008. Although Aizawl East-I
used to be a Congress stronghold, this time the constituency is expected to see a straight fight
between the MNF and Congress.
In the 2013 elections, Congress’ R Lalrinawma had emerged victorious against Lalhmangaiha Sailo of
the Mizoram People’s Conference.
Lalrinawma had bagged the seat in 2008, too, winning against F Malsawma of the MNF.
2. Serchhip: Serchhip is one of the much talked about constituencies in the upcoming assembly
polls, as ZPM leader and its chief ministerial candidate Lalduhoma, who is the incumbent legislator,
is pitted against MNF debutant J Malsawmzual Vanchhawng, who hails from the same constituency.
Congress is also fielding R Vanlaltluanga, who originally hailed from Thenzawl within the Serchhip
constituency. Vanlaltluanga had unsuccessfully contested the assembly polls in 2013 on a Zoram
Nationalist Party (ZNP) ticket.
Lalduhoma won the Serchhip seat in the last assembly polls held in November 2018, ousting
incumbent legislator and five-time chief minister Lal Thanhawla.
He was disqualified under the anti-defection law in 2020, becoming the first legislator to have been
disqualified under the law in the country. It drew severe criticism on the part of the ruling MNF,
which led him to win the bypolls in April next year by a strong margin. Except the period 1998-2003
and 2018-2023, Congress has been in power in Serchhip after Mizoram attained statehood.
Though a first-timer, MNF nominee Malsawmzual Vanchhawng is believed to be a tough opponent
for Lalduhoma. He was one of the well-known and senior journalists in the state before he entered
politics.
3. Hachhek: A key constituency in west Mizoram’s Mamit district bordering Tripura, where
incumbent legislator Lalrindika Ralte and Congress stalwart will lock horns with sports minister
Robert Romawia Royte, who shifted his constituency from Aizawl East-II.
People familiar with the matter said the MNF party leadership told Royte to change his constituency
and shift to Hachhek to oust Ralte, as Royte is believed to be the best contender to unseat the
incumbent Congress MLA. Ralte on the other hand, is said to have strong influence in the
constituency. He is also a local from the constituency. Hachhek has been a Congress stronghold and
the party has been in dominance since the last three assembly elections – 2008, 2013 and 2018. In
the 2018 polls, Ralte secured 33.32 per cent votes, defeating his nearest opponent Lalrinenga Sailo
of the MNF by a margin of 366 votes. Royte is believed to be one of the best ministers in the current
Zoramthanga ministry.
Main opposition ZPM is fielding K J Lalbiakngheta, a first-timer. However, Lalbiakngheta is expected
to give stiff competition to rivals, as he hailed from Zawlnuam, the biggest village in Hachhek
constituency.
4. Aizawl West-III: It is expected to see a triangular fight among MNF, ZPM and Congress. Incumbent
ZPM legislator V L Zaithanzama will lock horns with former finance minister and present Congress
president Lalsawta and MNF nominee K Sawmvela. It will be a litmus test for Lalsawta, under whose
leadership Congress has been trying to set reformation. Although Sawmvela is a novice, he is
expected to be a tough opponent as he was known to be one of the best officials when he served in
the state PWD. After his retirement as engineer-in-chief in 2020, he served as technical adviser to
the chief minister at the CMO. After its creation in 2008, the seat has not seen any candidate from
the same party winning for the second consecutive term. In 2008, Congress won the seat, but in
2013, Vanlalzawma was defeated by V L Zaithanzama. The seat covers at least seven big localities,
and this time, all the three contenders hailed from the same constituency and they are believed to
garner more votes. (PTI)
