The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday announced the candidacy of its Mizoram state president, Vanlalhmuaka, for the sole Lok Sabha seat in the state.
At 63 years old, Vanlalhmuaka joined the saffron party in 2014, marking a significant step in his political journey. He previously contested the Mizoram assembly elections in 2008 as an independent candidate from the Serlui constituency, albeit unsuccessfully, losing to Congress nominee K. Lalrinthanga.
Despite his earlier setbacks, Vanlalhmuaka remained undeterred and contested the state assembly polls under the BJP banner in 2018 and 2023, displaying his enduring commitment to political engagement.
Scheduled for April 19, the Mizoram Lok Sabha election will witness Vanlalhmuaka vying for the reserved seat allocated for Scheduled Tribes (ST), with the incumbent MNF MP C Lalrosanga opting out of the race this time.
With over 8.6 lakh eligible voters, including 4.41 lakh women, the constituency braces itself for a pivotal electoral showdown.
Political analysts anticipate a triangular contest primarily involving the ruling Zoram People's Movement (ZPM), the principal opposition Mizo National Front (MNF), and the Congress.
On the other hand, the ZPM has nominated entrepreneur Richard Vanlalhmangaiha, while the MNF has put forward Mizoram's sole Rajya Sabha member K Vanlalvena, and the Congress has fielded Lalbiakzama.
Additionally, the People's Conference (PC) has introduced prominent Mizo singer and lyricist Rita Malsawmi as a candidate, while former Congress leader Lalhriatrenga Chhangte, despite a previous loss in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, has decided to contest independently in this election cycle.
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