Congress to form government in Mizoram

Aizawl: Veteran Congress leader Lalthanhawla is poised to become chief minister of a Congress government in Mizoram for the fourth time with the party sweeping the polls winning an absolute majority in the 40-member state legislature.

The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) faced a humiliating defeat with the Congress storming back to power after being in political wilderness for 10 years.

According to latest trends and results available, the Congress had won 28 seats and was leading in one, while the MNF managed to win three, the Mizo People's Conference bagging two and, the Maraland Democratic Party, and the Zoram Nationalist Party, both small regional players, bagging one seat each out of the 35 results declared so far.

In a major upset, Chief minister Zoramthanga lost both the seats he contested - losing the North Champai seat to Congress opponent and first timer T.T. Zothansanga by 1,248 votes and was humbled by Congress candidate Jh Rothuma in the South Champai seat.

"This is a verdict for change and a big snub to the 10-year-old misrule and corruption of the MNF government," 66-year-old Lalthanhawla, the Congress chief ministerial candidate said.

"We are committed to providing a stable government with our focus on development and well being of the people."

The Congress party has already announced Lalthanhawla's candidature for the chief minister's post although it would be formalised after a meeting of the winning legislators today. The MNF accepted defeat.