Lal Thanhawla: Mizoram chief minister aims for third consecutive term

Mizoram Chief Minister and Congress leader, Lal Thanhawla, is contesting from two seats -- Serchhip and Champhai South-ST. He is fighting Mizo National Front's (MNF) C Lalramzauva and Zoram People's Movement`s (ZPM) chief ministerial candidate Lalduhoma from Serchhip constituency and TJ Lalnuntluanga from Champai South constituency.

In 2013, Thanhawla won by a margin of 734 votes defeating his nearest MNF rival Lalramzauva, who got 4,985 in a four-cornered contest. Thanhawla got 5,719 votes in the elections.

The nine-time MLA, Thanhawla is aiming for a third consecutive term. The Congress has been power in the state since 2008. In 2013 assembly elections, the Congress won 34 seats, while the main opposition party Mizo National Front (MNF) got five and Mizoram People's Conference bagged one.

Thanhawla's total assets have increased by 33.29 per cent to Rs 12,20,19,747 in 2018 from Rs 9,15,45,980 in 2013. He said that his source of income is "salary and rental income", his wife's earnings are attributed to "licence from quarry at Sakawrtuichhun".

Both the Congress and MNF have fielded candidates in all the 40 assembly constituencies. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded candidates in 39 seats.

A tribal organisation has appealed to Mizoram's powerful Presbyterian Church to support Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla in the Assembly election, describing him as a "prominent Christian leader" in the country.

Thanhawla had earlier said that he will "break the jinx" of no party winning the third consecutive term by forming the next Congress government with a full majority. "I am going to break the jinx because of our good work. I am coming with full majority," Thanhawla, who was with his wife Lal Riliani, told reporters after casting his vote at Zarkawt-II polling station in the state capital.

The nine-time MLA also alleged that opposition BJP, which is looking to open its account for the first time in the state, is pumping in huge money, mostly in the minority areas of Chakmas and Brus, to get votes.

In Mizoram, support of 21 MLAs is needed to form a government in assembly, the counting of which will take place on December 11. "If like-minded parties come to me and want to support my leadership, then they may (be) welcomed," Thanhawla had told PTI during an interview when asked if the Congress is willing to form a post-poll alliance if it does not get a simple majority.

Mizoram is the only State in the north-east where the Congress is in power.