Mizoram election result 2013: NLUP was Congress's biggest victory weapon, feels MNF

AIZAWL: The Mizo National Front (MNF), once a rebel outfit which became a political party with the signing of the historic Mizo Accord, has always caught the imagination of the people here. It was Rajiv Gandhi who brought them into the mainstream when he signed an accord with its founder, Laldenga, in 1986.

Subsequently, it went on to win assembly elections in 1987, 1998 and 2003, but lost to the Congress for two consecutive terms, including this election. Its president and former chief minister, Zoramthanga, formed a three-party opposition alliance comprising the Mizoram Democratic Alliance (MDA), the Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) and the Maraland Democratic Front (MDF), but it was not formidable enough to take on the Congress led by chief minister Lal Thanhawla. Besides, another regional party, the Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP), played spoilsport.

All eyes were on the ZNP this election, led by former IPS officer Lal Duhoma. But in real terms, the ZNP became a mere vote divider paving the way for an easy win for the Congress. Though social media saw the emergence of the ZNP as a larger third front in Mizoram, political analysts felt they were just a nightmare for the MDA and nothing more.

"The ZNP wave was there, but too weak to win a single seat. However, it was good enough to disturb the Mizoram Democratic Alliance's concentration of votes. The bigger the ZNP wave, the bigger the margin of the Congress victory," summed up Tuikhuahthanga, a political analyst.

The ZNP has formed a partnership with the Congress in the Aizawl Municipal Council, but they decided to go it alone in the assembly polls.

Duhoma's energetic campaign did help to attract young voters but this was not reflected in the vote share. This strategy, however, did help to dampen MDA's chances. "Mizoram has its own precedence, 'let them rule for two consecutive terms, then we'll see', this is one important factor," said Lalchhandama from Aizawl, adding that the people of Mizoram are not yet tired of the Congress.

The Congress's pilot project, the New Land Use Policy (NLUP), has also played a key role in the victory, felt many including the opposition. The Rs 2,800-crore project had covered 1.35 lakh familes across the state and was expected to bring about a sea-change in rural economy.

"I cannot say if NLUP can bring about an economic change for poor farmers, but it has benefitted many in rural areas," said R Lalthangliana, the vice-president of MNF.

"Many people may have misused the money, but it was the biggest electoral tool of the Congress," said an MNF supporter.