Aizawl, Oct 31: The upcoming 40-member Mizoram assembly polls will be an interesting one because the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) and the opposition Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), the two regional parties will lock horn in the electoral battle on November 7.

Everybody in Mizoram is expecting an intense electoral fight between MNF and ZPM.

ZPM, whose candidates had to contest the 2018 Assembly polls as Independents as the party was not registered by the Election Commission of India (ECI), won 8 seats but lost two seats in the subsequent bypolls with party chief Lalduhoma retaining the Serchhip seat in the by-election.

Just before and after the 2018 Assembly elections, ZPM led by IPS officer-turned-politician Lalduhoma became a major challenger to both the MNF and the Congress.

The 73-year-old police officer-turned-politician has also emerged as a leading face as a strong contender for the Chief Ministerial post in the ongoing electioneering.

Lalduhoma said, “My party (ZPM) would secure a landslide victory in the November 7 Assembly polls, and we would form the next government in Mizoram. This is thousand percent assured. There is no question of aligning with any other party as we would win much more than the majority number of seats.”

He said the ZPM has already convinced the people of Mizoram that it would give a new system of governance, unlike the Congress and the MNF.

Mizoram was previously part of Assam until 1972, when it was carved out as a Union Territory. It became the 23rd state of India, a step above Union Territory, on February 20, 1987 after years of insurgency.

Since 1987, the mountainous state has only seen bipolar politics between the Congress and the MNF, first led by Laldenga, and then by incumbent Chief Minister Zoramthanga.

Also Read: Mizoram assembly polls: Five biggest victories of 2018 polls

Also Watch