Mizoram assembly polls 2023: Lalduhoma from ZPM emerges as third CM face in the triangular fight

Mizoram assembly polls 2023: Since 1987, the state has only seen two faces from two parties as the CM candidates.

The fight for the 40-member Mizoram Assembly has traditionally been between Chief Minister Zoramthanga’s Mizo National Front (MNF) and the Congress. However, this time Zoram’s People Movement (ZPM) has emerged as the new player.

A total of 174 candidates are in the fray-the MNF, Congress and ZPM are fighting from all 40 constituencies, and the BJP, AAP and Independents are contesting 23 seats, 4 and 27, respectively.

The state has a new chief minister face in Lalduhoma of the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) this time.

Since 1987, when Mizoram held its first Assembly election, the state has only seen two faces from two parties, Lal Thanhwala from the Congress and Zoramathanga of the Mizo National Front (MNF), as the CM candidate. They have been alternating as chief ministers every few terms.  Lalduhoma, who is a former IPS officer, told The New Indian Express that people have tried and tested Congress and MNF and now they will give an opportunity to ZPM.  “Congress and MNF are our two rivals. We have had enough of them. People want change. The main agenda of this election is a non-MNF and non-Congress government, for which we are the only alternative,” he told the newspaper.

Lalduhoma is not new to politics. He was the security in-charge of former prime minister the late Indira Gandhi. He retired from the services in 1984 and joined the Congress.  He was also the first MP to be disqualified under the anti-defection law in 1988 after he resigned from the Congress. Before the formation of the ZPM, he had been elected as MLA in 2003 from Zoram Nationalist Party which he had floated. The party gained prominence among some voters but its journey was short.

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Rise of Zoram People’s Movement

In 2018, Zoram Nationalist Party was among the six regional parties that joined the coalition of the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM). Lalduhoma was declared its chief ministerial candidate. He won the state elections from two Aizawl West I and Serchhip. In 2020, Lalduhoma became the first MLA in Mizoram to be disqualified for contesting the seat as an Independent candidate.

However, ZPM has won several local elections since its formation and is now being considered a major third front in a Congress-MNF battle. Describing ZPM as a “fresh commodity in the political market”, Lalduhoma told Indian Express, “The other two parties have been in power for more than 30 years. They have exhausted all their talents and we have had enough of them. People want change and ZPM is the only alternative. We offer a new system, a corruption-free government and upliftment, particularly of the youth and the farmers.”

Also read: Mizoram may have a hung assembly

Prospects in 2023

ZPM is considered the main opposition of the ruling MNF which is facing a tough battle due to the ethnic violence in Manipur. MNF’s alliance with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at Centre has earned it backlash from the Christian voters of the state. On the other hand,

Meanwhile, Congress is fighting without its tallest leader Lal Thanhawla this time. According to a report by Deccan Herald, the party is still grappling with the "leadership crisis" left in the wake of Thanhawla’s retirement.

However, Lalduhoma feels the state is no longer witnessing a three-cornered fight.  “The Congress is not a force to be reckoned with now, they are a spent force. Our main rival is the MNF. It will almost be a straight fight between my party and the MNF,” he told the publication.

The state with a  40-member assembly went to polls in a single phase on November 7. The results will be declared on December 3.