Congress-Mukt Northeast? Incumbent Chief Minister Loses Seat, MNF Set To Form Government

Even as it improves its performance in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, Congress is set to lose the last state it rules in the Northeast.

Congress leader and incumbent Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla conceded the Champal South constituency where he was contesting from to T J Lalnuntluanga from Mizo National Front (MNF), reports said.

The MNF, according to latest reports, is leading in 29 out of the 40 assembly constituencies in the state. The Congress is leading in six.

Issues linked to the ‘Land Use Policy’ and alcohol prohibition played a key role in the rise of the MNF. The Congress government’s Land Use Policy, which helped them win the elections comfortably in 2013, appears to have backfired. Farmers in the Christian-majority state are disappointed as the policy discourages ‘Jhum Cultivation’. MNF’s stand on alcohol prohibition backed by the Church was another factor which helped them gain an edge over the Congress in the state.

MNF is part of the BJP-backed North-East Democratic Alliance.