Man who sacrificed CM’s chair for Mizo peace

AIZAWL: At 71, Mizoram CM Lal Thanhawla is surprisingly energetic. At the close of a gruelling campaign, he has touched virtually every corner of his state. The party's star campaigner, much of his exertion was because every party candidate wanted him to address at least one rally in his constituency. "I hardly come to Aizawl these days. I have to visit all 40 constituencies," he says.

Born to a staunch Christian family in 1942, Lal Thanhawla is remembered as the man who sacrificed his chair for peace in Mizoram. When the then underground MNF leader Laldenga signed the 1986 Mizo accord, he quit as CM to allow MNF to form an interim government.

He has the Gandhi family's confidence and not only helped end the state's insurgency problem but also ensured the Congress fl ag flies high in this hill state. Lal Thanhawla is contesting from Serchhip and Hrangturzo. "The church is happy, people are happy there is no corruption and we have brought development. The New Land Use Policy (NLUP) is a hit and helped farmers and the poor," he says brimming with confidence.

The land scheme notwithstanding, the CM is not leaving anything to chance. Aware that he is of the fight the threeparty opposition Mizo Democratic Alliance is putting up. Although Congress swept the 2008 polls winning 32 of the 40 seats, things are not as rosy, at least in Aizawl, this time. The city alone accounts for 11 seats. "All parties now use NLUP. Those who doubted it when we launched say they will improve it," he says.

He attacks the opposition alliance saying: "They were together earlier and then broke. They are friends again for power. Hope they realize their mistake." In 1998, the Mizo National Front-Mizoram People's Conference formation won a landslide.

Besides the two, the alliance now has the Maraland Democratic Front.