ELECTIONS '98 COMMENTARY
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MNF-MPC get 34 of Mizoram's 40 seats. Lalthanhawla resigns

The Mizo National Front and Mizo People's Conference combine swept the assembly election in Mizoram, securing a majority of 34 seats in the 40-member state assembly.

The MNF secured 21 seats while the MPC won 13, including a party-supported Independent.

The ruling Congress suffered a humiliating defeat as it could win only six seats with Chief Minister Lalthanhawla losing from the Serchhip seat, which he had won four times in a row since 1984.

Lalthanhawla today submitted his resignation to Governor A Padmanabhan. A communique from Raj Bhavan said the resignation of Lalthanhawla and his council of ministers had been accepted. The outgoing ministry has been asked to continue in office till alternative arrangements are made.

The Congress retained its seats in Chakma-dominated Tuipang, Tlabung, Saiha and Lawngtlai in Chhimtuipui district and in Saitual.

Lalthanhawla was defeated by MNF rival K Thangzuala by 698 votes in Serchhip. The MNF candidate polled 4,598 votes against Lalthanhawla's 3,900.

Among the prominent winners are former chief minister Brigadier T Sailo (Mamit), MNF president Zoramthanga (both from Khawbung and Champhai) and MPC working president Lalhmingthanga (Aizawl East-I).

The Congress also suffered a setback when Vaivenga, the assembly speaker, and Lalkhama, an advisor to Lalthanhawla, lost to their MNF rivals.

While Vaivenga bit the dust in Bilkhawthlir against MNF nominee Lalchamliana, Lalkhama was defeated in north Vanlaiphai by Lalawia by 54 votes.

In Khawbung, sitting MLA and state Janata Dal chief Hranthanga Colney finished a poor third to Zoramthanga.

In the Chhimtuipui district of south Mizoram, a traditional Congress belt, the party retained both the Tlabung and Tuipang seats. While K T Rokhaw defeated United People's Party candidate T T Vakhu in Tuipang, N K Chakma won Tlabung, humbling Samson Zoramthanga of the MNF.

The MNF bagged the Kawrthah, Khawzawl and Khawbung seats, where it was locked in a friendly contest with the MPC, despite having a pact with it.

In Saitual, recounting was ordered after Congress nominee R Lalzirliana won by only six votes. There was, however, no change in the margin of votes after the recount.

The Results:

Constituency      Winners               Runners-up

Bilkhawthlir      Lalchamliana          Vaivenga
                   (MNF)                (Cong)

North Vanlaiphai  R Lalawia             Lalkhama
                   (MNF)                 (Cong)

Tlabung           N K Chakma            Samson Zoramthanga
                   (Cong)                (MNF) 

Tuipang           K T Rokhaw            T T Vakhu
                   (Cong)                (UPP) 

Aizawl North-II   F Malsawma            R Vanengliana
                   (MNF)                 (MPC) 

Saitual           R Lazirliane          Biakchungnunga
                   (Cong)                (MPC) 

Khawbung          Zoramthanga           Lalsawivunga
                   (MNF)                 (MPC) 

Sangau            H Rammawia            S T Rualyapa
                   (Ind)                 (Cong) 

Kawrthah          K Sangthuama          Saikapthianga
                   (MNF)                 (Cong) 

Loki Chera        Tawnluia              T C Pachhunga
                   (MNF)                 (Cong) 

Khawzawl          Aichhinga             Andrew Lalherliana
                   (MNF)                 (UPP) 

Lunglei south     J Lawnzuala           T Nehlaia 
                   (MPC)                 (MNF) 

Aizawl East       Lalhmingthanga       Rochhunga Raite
                   (MPC)                 (Cong) 

Buarpui           Lalrinzuala          Rokunga Raite
                   (MPC)                 (MNF) 

Lunglei North     Lalthangliana        Lalnghinglova Haumar
                   (MPC)                 (Cong) 

Ngopa             P B Rosanga          H Zathama
                   (MPC)                 (Cong) 

Mamit             T Sailo              Lalhuthanga
                   (MPC)                 (Cong) 

Khawhai           K Lianchia           Saing Haka
                   (MPC)                 (Cong) 

Aizawl West I     L Sailo              Zodint Luanga
                   (MPC)                 (Cong) 

Champhai          Zoramthanga          R Lalthilamuana
                   (MNF)                 (Cong) 

Saiha             Zakhu H Lychho       S Vadyu
                   (Cong)                (UPP) 

Lawnplai          C Thanghluna         F Manghnuna
                   (Cong)                (MPC) 

Tawnpui           Z H Ropuia           K L Chhawnzuava
                   (MNF)                 (MPC) 

Aizawl East II    H Vanlalauva         H Lallugmuna
                   (MNF)                 (UPP) 

Serchhip          Thangzuala           Lalthanhawla
                   (MNF)                 (Cong)

Vanva             C Lalrinsanga        H Thankima
                   (MNF)                 (MPC)

Suanguilawn       H Laltanpuia         Vanlalngena
                   (MPC)                 (Cong)

Hnahthial         F Lalthanzuala       C S Chawngchhuma
                   (MPC)                 (MNF)

Chawngte          Nirupam Chakma       A B Chakma
                   (Cong)                (BJP)

Saitual           R Lalzirliane        K Biakchungnunga
                   (Cong)                (MPC)

Lungpho           Vanlalhlana          K Lianzuala
                   (MPC)                 (Cong)

Aizawl West II    Lalrinchhana         Thantluanga
                   (MNF)                 (MPC)

Ratu              Lalthankunga         Laldiakzuala
                   (MNF)                 (Cong)

Assembly Election '98

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