Mizoram assembly polls 2023: Deputy CM Tawnluia is the oldest candidate

Tawnluia was also commander-in-chief of the disbanded Mizo National Army for more than two decades.

Among the 170 candidates fighting the Mizoram polls, 80-year-old Deputy Chief Minister Tawnluia stands as the oldest contender. Tawnluia, who is also the Mizo National Front (MNF) vice president, is contesting from the state's Tuichang constituency.

The Deputy Chief Minister was also the oldest candidate in the 2018 assembly elections when he contested from the same seat. He had fought on the party ticket in 1987, 1989, 1998, and 2003. This time, Tawnluia is being challenged by W Chhuanawma of the Zoram Peoples Movement (ZPM).

According to Deccan Herald, Tawnluia earlier served as the Home Minister in the MNF ministry in 1998 and 2003. Prior to his political career, Tawnluia was also the commander-in-chief of the disbanded Mizo National Army (MNA) for more than two decades.

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Last month, he promised that the state government's Socio-Economic Development Policy (SEDP) scheme will stand in place if MNF is re-elected. He emphasised that the SEDP assistance is focused on the state's development and not on vote-bank politics.

Catch live updates of the 2023 Mizoram Assembly polls here.

"In the first phase, about 60,000 families were provided assistance of Rs 50,000 each, and another 60,000 beneficiaries were assisted with Rs 25,000 each in the second phase,” he told ANI.

Tawnluia said that the disbursement of SEDP assistance for the third phase has been temporarily suspended due to the implementation of the model code of conduct which was initiated following the announcement of the polls.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Zoramthanga, contesting from the Aizawl East-1, and 77-year-old Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Lalsawta from Aizawl West-3 seat are also in the fray.

The counting of votes for the 40-seat Mizoram assembly will take place on December 3. The current Mizoram assembly is set to conclude its term on December 17.

In the 2018 assembly elections, the MNF secured 26 seats with a vote share of 37.8 percent, clinching victory by defeating the 10-year-old Congress rule.

Regional party ZPM came in second in the 2018 polls, bagging eight seats. This time, it being seen by many as the main contender for the ruling party.

The Congress bagged five seats in the 2018 assembly polls, while the BJP got one.