Outgoing Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga resigns as MNF President following electoral setback

Aizawl, Mizoram: After the recent electoral setback in the Mizoram assembly polls, Chief Minister Zoramthanga has officially resigned from the role of President of the Mizo National Front (MNF). This move comes after a 33-year-long tenure as the head of the party.

Zoramthanga communicated his decision through a resignation letter addressed to the senior Vice President of MNF, Tawnluia. The party is set to convene a meeting on Wednesday to deliberate and decide on the acceptance of the resignation letter.

In his letter, Zoramthanga expressed, "The MNF fails to win the state assembly polls. In this regard, I take moral responsibility as the party chief. Considering that it is my obligation as the MNF president, I do hereby tender my resignation from the president post and kindly request you to accept the same."

Election Results

The Mizoram National Front faced a setback in the recent assembly elections, securing 10 out of 40 seats. In contrast, the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) achieved a significant victory by winning 27 seats. Chief Minister Zoramthanga himself suffered a notable defeat, losing the Aizawl East-I seat to Lalthansanga of ZPM by 2,101 votes.

This development dealt a blow to the ruling Mizo National Front, which is a constituent of the BJP-led NDA alliance.

Political Landscape

Mizoram's political landscape has been historically dominated by the Congress and the Mizo National Front (MNF) since gaining full statehood in 1987. Zoramthanga, as the President of MNF and Chief Minister, has been a prominent figure in state politics. He first assumed the role of Chief Minister after the 1998 Assembly polls, ending the Congress's decade-long rule. The MNF governed for ten years until Congress secured victories in 2008 and 2013.