Lal Thanhawla in advantageous position in Serchhip

Aizwal: With Mizoram`s Serchhip district reaping benefits of central and state socio-economic welfare schemes, Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla seems to be in an advantageous position both in Serchhip and Hrangturzo seats from where he is fighting the November 25 elections.

Serchhip district, known as the `heart of Mizoram` has Serchhip, Tuikum and Hrangturzo assembly seats. The district has around 44,688 voters, which includes 22023 male voters and 22665 female voters. Lal Thanhawla has won from Serchhip, his home turf, for five times since 1984, losing only once in 1998 when the Mizo National Front candidate, a retired PWD engineer-in-chief K.Thangzuala, defeated him by 696 votes. The chief minister wrested his seat back in 2003 and retained it in 2008 defeating Lalramzauva, the Zoram Nationalist Party and MPC combine nominee by a margin of 952 votes, while the MNF candidate R. Lalhnuna came third. With the district, especially the Serchhip constituency getting preference for development projects and schemes, the socio-economic condition has changed enormously in the last few years. Of 33 departments in the district, 16 are implementing centrally sponsored schemes. Schemes such as the Indira Awaas Yojana to MNREGA to the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidhyuti Karan Yojna have changed the face of Sercchip, which was once known as backward. "I had no means of constructing a house of my own. I received an assistance of Rs 48,500 under IAY in 2012-2013," says Pi Mardawhi, a 55-year-old widow.