In poll-bound Mizoram, MNF pins hope on a Mizo Himanta Biswa Sarma

Guwahati, October 30, 2018:

Opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) in election-bound Mizoram is hoping to derail the Congress applecart through a Himanta Biswa Sarma of the state.

He is none other than former Congress leader R Lalzirliana who resigned as the state’s Home Minister last month to be with the MNF. Among leaders pinning hopes on his political acumen is MNF chief and two-time former Chief Minister Zoramthanga.

The former rebel leader-turned-politician, Zoramthanga, said Lalzirliana’s wearing the MNF colours would greatly benefit the party.

“We have no doubt the MNF will be largely benefitted by his and another Congress MLA’s joining our party. In fact, Lalzirliana is our Himanta Biswa Sarma,” Zoramthanga said.

Sarma, widely known as a master election strategist, is largely credited with the BJP’s stunning rise in the Northeast in the past three years. It was under him that the BJP kept on winning one state after another. A poll manager that he is, Sarma played a key role in cobbling up the support of MLAs of other political parties every time the BJP struggled in the numbers game. Also, it is he who takes the final call in the selection of candidates during elections.

Lalzirliana had been a key leader in Mizoram Congress for years. He was first elected to the Assembly in 1998 when the Congress was drubbed by the MNF-Mizoram People’s Conference combine. Only six Congress candidates, including him, could win in that election. He has not lost an election ever since.

Lalzirliana, however, has a daunting task this election. Despite anti-incumbency, the ruling Congress sits pretty ahead of the November 28 polls. It remains to be seen if he can guide the MNF to power.