By IANS,
Aizawl : The Congress appeared inching towards a victory in Mizoram after being in political wilderness for a decade, winning ten seats and leading in seven constituencies with the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) on its way out as votes polled Dec 2 in assembly elections were counted Monday.
The state has 40 seats.
Former three-time chief minister and Congress leader of Mizoram Lalthanhawla won both the seats he contested winning the South Tipui seat against F. Lalthanzuala of the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) by 96 votes and the Serchhip assembly seat by 952 votes.
P.C. Lalthanliana of the Congress won the Lunglei North seat defeating his nearest MNF rival by 705 votes, while Congress candidate R.L. Pianmawia won the Tuivawl seat. He defeated his MNF rival by 473 votes.
Congress candidate R. Lalzirliana won the Tawi seat defeating his nearest MNF candidate by 1,211 votes. In the Turial seat, Hminhdailova Khiangte of the Congress party defeated his MNF rival by 1,022 votes. Congress candidate H. Liansailova won the Aizawl North seat defeating his MNF rival by 266 votes.
According to early trends, the main opposition Congress is leading in seven seats and the MNF is ahead by a slender margin in two constituencies.
“The going so far is good and is on expected lines. We are confident of reaching the magic figure of 21 (for a majority),” Lalthanhawla, the Congress chief ministerial candidate, told IANS.
“Definitely, the early trends and results indicate that this is a verdict for change and the misrule of the Zormathanga-led MNF government.”
The fight for political supremacy is between the MNF and the Congress. The MNF was in power in Mizoram for the last two terms and was expecting a third straight term.
In the 2003 assembly elections, the ruling MNF secured 21 seats while Congress bagged 12 and seven went to other smaller parties.
Nihar Kanti Chakma of the Congress defeated his nearest MNF rival in the West Tuipui seat by 1,540 votes, while S, Hiato of the same party won the Saiha seat beating his MNF rival.
Similarly, Congress candidate L. Ralte won the Hachhek seat defeating his MNF rival.
According to early trends, the main opposition Congress is leading in seven seats. “The going so far is good and is on expected lines. We are confident of reaching the magic figure of 21,” Lalthanhawla, the Congress chief ministerial candidate, told IANS.
“Definitely, the trends and results indicate that this is a verdict for change and the misrule of the Zormathanga led MNF government.”
The fight for political supremacy is between the MNF and the Congress. The MNF was in power in Mizoram for the last two terms and is fighting to make it for the third straight term.
In the last assembly elections held in 2003, the ruling MNF secured 21 seats while Congress bagged 12 and seven went to other smaller parties.