Congress wins ten seats, MNF two in Mizoram

AIZAWL: Congress won ten seats and was leading in six, while the MNF secured two and was leading in one in the 40-member Mizoram Assembly, the results of which were announced today. Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla won from both Serchhip and Hrangturzo, the two seats he contested. In Serchhip, Thanwala won by by a margin of 734 votes defeating his nearest MNF rival Lalramzauva, who received 4,985 in a four cornered contest.

In Hrangturzo, the chief minister defeated his Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) rival Lalthansanga by 1,638 votes. Thanhawla received 5173 votes in the five cornered contest. The four times chief minister said though anti-incumbency played a role, he was confident of forming the next government.

Forest minister H. Rohluna won from Lengteng, Parliamentary Secretary S. Laldingliana from Lunglei South, former assembly speaker Hiphei won from Palak. Education minister Lalsawta won the Aizawl East-11 seat defeating MNF candidate Sailothanga Sailo. In Lunglei North, Minister of state for Social Welfare P C Lalthanliana defeated MNF's K Vanlallawma.

Congress also won from Tuivawl, South Tuipui, Champhai North.MNF nominee K. Beichhua bagged the Saiha seat, defeating his nearest rival Tourism Minister S. Hiato of Congress. MNF candidate Lalrinawma, an engineer by profession defeated the sitting Congress legislator K. Lianzuala from Tuikum. The ruling Congress and the opposition Mizoram Democratic Alliance, comprising MNF, MPC and Maraland Democratic Front (MDF), contested from all 40 constituencies.