Mizoram: Prime Minister likely to campaign for Congress on Saturday

Aizawl, Nov 15 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to campaign for Congress in Aizawl on Saturday as the election to the 40-member Mizoram legislature is scheduled to be held on November 25.

Dr Singh would address a public rally at the parade ground of the third battalion of the Mizoram Armed Police on Saturday, official sources said today.

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi is also expected to visit south Mizoram's Lunglei town on November 18 while AICC Vice President Rahul Gandhi is likely to address public rallies at the Mizoram-Assam border Kolasib town and the Mizoram-Myanmar border Champhai town on November 21, party sources said.

Programmes of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are yet to be confirmed officially.

The Hottest Item in Town

By B. S. Satish Kumar

Nagaland agri entrepreneur Abea Mero displaying Naga Mircha variety of chilli at the BioFach India, in Bangalore on Thursday. Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.

The traditional Nagaland Chilli variety is 400 times more hotter than normal ones

Can you imagine a chilli variety that is nearly 400 times hotter than the normal ones? Well, the Naga Mircha, the traditional chilli variety of Nagaland, is one of the hottest chilli varieties of the world as its pungency level is about 400 times more than the normal ones.

This hottest variety, which is available for tasting, is naturally the hottest attraction at the three-day international organic trade fair titled “BioFach India together with India Organic 2013” being organised jointly by Nuremberg Messe India Private Limited, International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture (ICCOA) and the Karnataka State Agriculture Department at the Bangalore Palace Grounds from Thursday.

The Naga Mircha has been showcased at the stall put up by the Nagaland Government in the trade fair. As against the pungency level of 2,500 to 5,000 Schoville Heat Units (which is a method of measuring the pungency level) of normal chillies, the Naga Mircha has a pungency measure of over 10 lakh SHUs, according to experts.

Akali Sema, Professor of the Department of Horticulture in the School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development of the Nagaland University, points out that Naga Mircha was granted the Geographical Indication tag in 2007.

Nagaland is using this hottest variety to draw the attention of the world on it’s organic crops. Naga Mircha is one of the few chosen varieties of crops which are being promoted under organic farming in this hill State.

Abea Mero, a foreign educated agri entrepreneur from Nagaland, who is a major exporter of Naga Mircha, says the produce is being sold around Rs. 1,800 to 2,000 a kg within India. “We export it to various States within India and several foreign countries. The demand is growing so much that it is not possible to meet all of it,” she notes.

Pointing out that this chilli grows only in a particular region of Nagaland as the crop is very sensitive to weather conditions, she says she is making efforts to increase the area under cultivation of this chilli.

She also processes the chilli and sells pickles made out of it.

According to Dr. Sema, Nagaland is now identifying important native crops that have commercial value and trying to promote organic cultivation methods for them so that farmers can get remunerative prices. Such crops which are being promoted under organic cultivation include pineapple, turmeric and ginger in addition to Naga Mircha.

Who will raise INS Sindhurakshak? Five firms are in the fray to salvage sunken submarine... and find the truth about how her crew died

By Gaurav C. Sawant

It is the Indian Navy's biggest peace time disaster till date, and one that is still shrouded in mystery.
What caused the catastrophe on board INS Sindhurakshak, a frontline Kilo class submarine which had just returned from Russia after a multi-million dollar refit, remains unknown.

The navy is desperate to salvage the sunken sub and find out the truth, not least because 18 precious lives were lost in the blast.

Last week, technical bids were opened to bring the sub to surface.

What's next? Salvage work on INS Sindhurakshak has so far drawn a blank

"All the five companies that participated in the bid met the technical requirements. Now the commercial bids are being processed to identify the lowest bidder," Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral D.K. Joshi, told Headlines Today.

In an unprecedented move to cut down months of 'negotiation time' and files moving up and down different departments, an empowered committee has been formed and stationed in Mumbai to identify the lowest bidder.

"The files move between several offices for requisite clearances. At times that takes months. We have sought and got government clearance to cut down that time and quickly settle for the lowest bidder with all parameters being met," Admiral Joshi added.

The empowered committee is headed by the navy and features officers of both the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and a competent financial authority to clear the paperwork for defence minister A.K. Antony's final nod.

"The navy wants to know what caused the loss of lives of 18 service personnel. While they have been declared as 'battle casualties' since the submarine was about to leave for a patrolling mission, the families are keen to know what caused the incident.

"The navy has a fair idea but once the submarine is salvaged, an effort will be made to find out which ordnance blew up and which is intact," a source said.

Interest: Chief of Naval Staff Admiral D.K. Joshi has revealed five firms are vying to salvage the sub

"While within five minutes of the incident (on August 13) submarines in the adjoining berths had sailed out, we had a safety stand down immediately. We went through all our standard operating procedures and did a detailed internal audit," Admiral Joshi said.

But was it, as many in the navy describe it, 'a freak accident?'

"We should be able to know once she is salvaged," he added.

The navy is hopeful that by early next year the operation to salvage INS Sindhurakshak will commence.

The salvage firms include the one that was engaged in the operations to retrieve the ill-fated Russian Navy Oscar II class nuclear powered cruise missile submarine Kursk, which sank in the Barents Sea on August 12, 2000, killing all 118 sailors on board.

Mizoram’s Ministers And Speaker Collectively Got 3 Times Richer in 5 years

Aizawl, Nov 14 : Mizoram's ministers and speaker have together become three times richer in the five years the Congress ruled the state, according to a comparison of the affidavits they submitted in 2008 and 2013.

Among the 11 ministers and the speaker, minister P C Zoramsangliana, who holds the transport, art & culture and printing & stationery portfolios, got more than seven times richer and tops the list of such jumps. His current assets are worth Rs 6.53 crore.

Following him is Minister of State (Local Administration and Social Welfare) P C Lalthanliana who got nearly five times richer and currently owns Rs 1.15 crore. Third is minister Lalsawta, who holds the education, law & judicial and parliamentary affairs portfolios, and whose assets increased over four-and-a-half times. His assets are currently valued at Rs 98.79 lakh.

Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, with Rs 8.7 crore to his name, is the richest among all the ministers in the outgoing government. The four-time CM got almost four times richer since 2008.

The second richest in the outgoing cabinet is Home Minister R Lalzirliana, who also holds the rural development, prisons, secretariat administration and fisheries portfolios. The home minister currently has assets worth Rs 6.35 crores, an increase of more than three-and-a-half times in five years.

Speaker R Romawia is the third richest among the outgoing government's power-houses with assets worth 3.28 crore. He got four-and-half times richer.

Sports Minister Zodintluanga, who had assets worth Rs 2.28 crore in 2008, currently has Rs 2.99 crore and is the minister whose value has increased the least since the last elections.

Mizoram polls: The politics of religion is on the wall, in posters

By Adam Halliday

The poster of MNF founder-president Laldenga that hangs on a wall at Congress Bhavan. (Right) The cover of the MNF brochure condemning Lal Thanhawla’s tilak. (Express)

Aizawl, Nov 13 : A huge poster of the late Laldenga, founder-president of the main opposition Mizo National Front, on a wall of Congress Bhavan in Aizawl takes one by surprise. So do the posters of state Congress chief Lal Thanhawla at the MNF headquarters, Hnam Run.

With the battle to form Mizoram's seventh government taking a turn towards identity politics, the two main parties — Congress and Mizo National Front — have tried to outdo each other in a curious way; show through pictures that leaders of the other party have worshipped in and attended ceremonies of other religions.

One of the MNF's main poll planks this election is based on exploiting sentiments of the largely Christian Mizos against four-time Congress Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, who has on several occasions taken part in pujas while visiting other states, sporting a tilak on his forehead at one ceremony he attended with his wife.

The MNF began work on the strategy months ago, even taking out a massive rally in Aizawl to protest the CM's "bowing before other gods" and has since not missed any opportunity to take potshots at the CM, constantly exploiting the Christian belief that idol-worship is unacceptable.

Lal Thanhawla, who teaches at Bible classes each Sunday during church services in his home neighbourhood of Zarkawt oin Aizawl, unwittingly fed himself to the cannon by telling a TV talk show host that even Christian pastors sport tilaks when they go outside the state. Church leaders, whom politicians take care to have on their side, especially ahead of polls, were outraged, publicly condemning the CM's statement.

Sensing the mood, the MNF, while announcing its second and final list of candidates for the November 25 polls a week ago, distributed brochures carrying photographs of the CM and his wife attending Hindu ceremonies, including lighting a lamp in front of an idol of Durga, cracking open coconuts at a ceremony and the CM's mugshot with a tilak on his forehead.

"We are not condemning the CM following another religion, it is his right. But he must keep in mind that it is because the leader of this land has committed a sin against God that the land has seen many tragic incidents. As the Bible says, the sins of the leader will lead to tragedies for the land," the brochure reads, subtly referring to the natural disasters that have hit the state over the past few years.
Not to be outdone, the Congress has put up a poster of the MNF's founder-president the late Laldenga attending a ceremony in a gurdwara.

"We care not saying Laldenga worshipped the Sikh religion. All we are saying is that Sikhs must have been enamoured of and affectionate towards him and we are happy that was the case," a poster on a west wall of Congress Bhavan says, carrying black-and-white pictures of Laldenga, the rebel leader-turned-politician who gave his party a slogan it uses to this day — "For God and our land".

Aizawl Resurgence

The first point in the three-party Mizoram Democratic Alliance's (MDA's) manifesto is telling: "Based on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People on September 13, 2007, utmost effort will be taken for Zo reunification having separate governance under one umbrella." The Mizo National Front (MNF) and the Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) have joined forces once again in the MDA, despite simmering discontent in the parties' rank and file. The assertions of the manifesto and this renewed alliance evoke memories not just of fiery 1966, when the Mizo insurgency for an independent homeland came to a head, but of the historic 1998 assembly elections, when the two parties worked together to claim 33 out of 40 seats and to end a decade of Congress rule.

In an election year marked by an eerie absence of strong issues, "Mizo nationalism" and re-unification have resurfaced as a poll plank. This resurgence may stem from several factors. Population growth is stagnating and even the church has advised married couples to have as many children as possible so that Mizos are not overwhelmed by other communities. Meanwhile, as civil society organisations crack down on narcotics and illicit alcohol, several ethnic Mizos who had immigrated from neighbouring Burma have become targets of vigilante action. This has generated sympathy and a sense of brotherhood with those from across the border.

In subtle recognition of the population issue, the MDA as well as the Zoram Nationalist Party, the underdog in Mizo politics, promise to push for greater protection and autonomy for Mizos under Indian laws and global agreements. This is meant to assuage tribal fears about being swamped by larger neighbouring communities. But this agenda was initially floated by politically neutral, mass-based civil society organisations, and it is yet to be seen if it can affect the Congress's chances of staying in power. In 1998, the party's downfall had been wrought by its own misrule and perceived financial corruption, rather than by ethnic sentiments. Ironically, the MNF's resounding defeat in 2008 is attributed to the same causes — the electorate was enthused by the Congress's pre-poll promise of rooting out corruption.

The opposition has latched on to another, seemingly related, issue to bolster its nationalsim rhetoric: the sporting of a tilak by Chief Minister Lalthanhawla. In a state that is predominantly Christian, the red mark on the four-time chief minister's forehead, the opposition hopes, will create resentment against what it calls the Congress's politics of "Indianisation". That the CM quotes liberally from the Bible and often invokes Christian charity to justify his government's beneficiary schemes is besides the point. The church seems to be wary of the CM's protestations that he was not "bowing before foreign gods". Still, religious leaders have refrained from taking sides as the state goes to polls.

But it is the Mizoram People's Forum, made up of church leaders and civil society groups, that has set the ground rules for the clash of parties: limited banners and hoardings, no public meetings apart from the joint public meetings the forum organises, no working with rebel groups to win votes and so on.

There has been criticism of the forum, especially by the intelligentsia, which questions the role of faith-based organisation in a secular polity. But it is popularly believed that people are more tuned in to church activities (not just because of faith but because the various church denominations, especially the largest ones, are majorly financed by members' contributions) than they are to the state government. The government gets just a tenth of its resources from the state — the rest comes from the Centre. There is another factor that works in favour of the church and other members of the forum, such as the Young Mizo Association: their leaders are also elected through thoughtful democratic processes.

The Election Commission has been extremely supportive of civil society's role in keeping an eye on Mizoram's elections. The chief election commissioner, V.S. Sampath, even reserved time to meet leaders while on a recent visit, breaking the established protocol where EC teams only meet political parties and state election officials.

Mizoram's elections have led to a fascinating confluence, perhaps best illustrated by the fact that about a score of the 142 candidates who have filed nominations are church elders and many more teach at Sunday schools. As the elections draw near, one particular catchphrase has spread rapidly: "Church leaders are increasingly talking about politics, while politicians are increasingly talking about god."

EC Aims For Sober Poll in Dry Mizoram

Aizawl, Nov 13 : The Election Commission is trying to put a stop to booze bribes to woo voters in the forthcoming Mizoram assembly polls.

Mizoram will be voting for new leadership in two weeks. During past elections, there have been allegations that alcohol was used to influence voters in this dry state.

Chief election commissioner V S Sampath has given a direct notice to the Mizoram excise and narcotics department to ensure Mizoram has a sober election. "Use of alcohol to influence voters is strictly prohibited," he said.

"We have re-enforced our personnel at all porous spots on the state's borders - especially at Vairengte and Champhai neighbouring Assam and Myanmar respectively," said Lalhmunsanga, commissioner of Mizoram excise and narcotics department.

"The chief election commissioner has sent me a direct notification to clamp down on booze bribes. The use of liquor to woo voters is one of the worst and most demoralizing forms of political corruption, and we will try our level best to avoid it," the commissioner added.

The Mizoram excise and narcotics department has stepped up vigil in the state's capital Aizawl and daily arrests and seizure reports are being handed over to the state election officials.

"Booze has long been considered an essential part of election campaigns. During past elections, local vigilantes and even the church has tried to put a stop to this practice, but it's almost an impossible task for these volunteers, as they simply cannot frisk everyone and check every car," Lalchhandama, a local resident said.

The Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition (MLTP) Act was put into place in 1995. Since then the cost of bootlegged booze has been escalating over the years. A bottle a premium whisky costs around Rs 1,000. Alcohol has therefore turned into a powerful medium for lobbying in Mizoram.

The negative effects of the prohibition in Mizoram include widespread sale of spurious liquor, and the rise of organized bootlegging.

Mizo Singers Drums Up Election Buzz

Aizawl, Nov 13 : In a state where musicians hold more sway than politicians, singers are calling upon citizens to turn up to exercise their franchise. The singers delivered key messages aiming at increasing awareness on the election and encouraging people to vote for the new assembly.

Top singers of the state including Zoramchhani, Lalropuii Pachuau and R Lalhmangaihzuali (all women) are urging the people of Mizoram to cast their votes in the state assembly election scheduled for November 25.

"It's not only an opportunity to make our voices hard but also our duty as citizens to exercise our right to choose for the sake of democracy," said Zoramchhani, a well-known gospel singer of the state and the winner of Youth Icon, first Mizoram's reality singing competition.

Zoramchhani has been propagating the theme of "strengthening voices for democracy", which, according to her, aims at raising the role of public opinion in shaping the future. "Citizens have to think about how they can use their voice to not only take control of their destiny, but also to translate their desires and the desires of others into a better future for all," she said.

Other local music-makers like Lalropuii Pachuau and R Lalhmangaihzuali too have been encouraging people to vote in the upcoming state assembly election.

Pachuau even appealed to the younger generation of voters not to fall prey to vote bribery. Saying that she would exercise her right to vote in the election, she appealed to the youth of Mizoram not to sell their votes for bribes nor let their decision be affected by the petty promises made by politicians.

"It might seem like a simple task - one just has to push a button to vote. But, we all must be aware that with each push of the button, the fate of our state's future takes shape," Pachuau said.

However, young voters in the state seem to be losing faith in the electoral system, mainly because politicians ignore the people through out their tenure only to knock on their doors on eve of elections and make vague promises.

Puitei, a young housewife from Tuikual locality in Aizawl, said that Election Day would be just a plain holiday as she didn't intend to exercise her franchise. "I'm sick and tired of the false promises made by politicians; nothing will change whether or not I vote," she said.

Mizoram General Assembly Elections 2013

By Andre Borges  
 

The 2013 Assembly Election for the state of Mizoram will be held on December 25 and the results will be declared on December 9.

The relatively small state of Mizoram came into existence on Febuary 20, 1987. It was originally a part of Assam but it became a Union Territory in 1972, when the first assembly elections were conducted. The state government is the highest government body in Mizoram and the Chief Minister holds executive power.

The Mizoram legislative assembly is unicameral, comprising 40 members, who are directly elected from single-seat constituencies every 5 years.

Controversy sparks during the elections

Although a small state as compared to Delhi, Rajasthan and the others, there has been quite a bit of friction surrounding the State poll schedule this year. Various political parties, religious groups and NGOs had written to the Chief Electoral Officer, requesting him to reschedule the election and vote counting as the dates clashed with the annual gathering of the Presbyterians and Pentecostals, religious groups which form the largest denominations in the state. According to church leaders, about 6,000 people would be attending the gathering which would prevent them from casting their vote.

After the CEO refused to entertain the request, six of the political parties wrote to the Election Commission of India (ECI), asking for the removal of the state CEO. The final decision of the ECI is yet to be announced. To read more on this, click here.

(Inputs via http://www.elections.in)

Chief Issues:

Corruption

Like all other Indian states, Mizoram too is afflicted with corruption at several levels. There are several delays and suspensions of government projects, which are clearly stall tactics and have received attention and huge criticism from people and various groups.
The state is also in turmoil due to the problems caused by between different tribes and the as of now dominant Mizos calling the shots, while a few smaller tribes are marginalised and left without any power at all.
Development 
The issue of development is quite important as the state is a small one and 70% of the people depend on agriculture as their main source of livelihood. The incumbent government states that it is trying to implement New Land Use Policy (NLUP) and various policies to develop both land and water routes for trade. It believes this will help accelerate development in the state and provide more employment opportunities.
Unemployment 
Mizoram is a state with a very high literacy rate, however strangely enough their employment rate is very low. The population of the state is quite impressive but the employment rate doesn't seem to be rising. The new government should try and create more employment opportunities to accommodate the bustling populace.
Illegal immigration 
Another major issue that the different parties will be addressing is that of Illegal immigration. The problem of illegal immigrants from neighbouring countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh and most notably Myanmar is expected to be a highlighted point brought up by the opposition parties. They will possibly use this point to question what four-time Chief Minister PU Lalthanhawla has been doing all this while. According to the New York-based Human Rights Watch, there are as many as 70,000 to 100,000 ethnic Chins from Myanmar in Mizoram, who fled to India in the last two decades to escape massive human rights abuse in western Myanmar.
Reang refugees’ rehabilitation 
The report that  37,000 tribal refugees have returned from Tripura is yet another issue that will surely affect the result of the Assembly Elections.
The tribal wars that have been going on for years now, have escalated. The tribal Reang refugees, had fled their homes in several villages in Mamit district in western Mizoram in October 1997 after ethnic clashes with the majority Mizos flared over the killing of a Mizo forest official.
In Mizoram, the estimated population of Reang tribals has reached 100,000. Besides, there are many tribals living in the mountainous border state, whose total population is about one million.
Other important issues include Drug abuse amongst the youth and the New Land Use Policy (NLUP) 
Key Contenders:

Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla
Lal Thanhawla has been the Chief Minister of Mizoram since December 11, 2008. He successfully contested the 2008 Mizoram Assembly Election in Serchhip and South Tuipui. His party, the Indian National Congress, resoundingly won that election with 32 MLAs.
He is the son of Hmartawnphunga Sailo and Lalsawmliani Chawngthu. He completed his Matriculation in 1958, his Intermediate Arts in 1961 and his BA in 1964 Aizawl. He currently resides in Zarkawt Veng, Aizawl.
Lal Thanhawla started his career as Recorder in the office of Inspector of Schools in the District Council. After that, he joined the Assam Co-operative Apex Bank as Assistant. In 1966, he joined the Mizo National Front as Secretary till 1967 when he joined the Indian National Congress party after he was released from jail in Silchar.
In 1973 he was elected Party President. In 1978 and 1979 he was elected as a Legislator in Union Territory Elections. In 1984, under his Leadership, the Congress party swept the state and he became Chief Minister. In 1986, when the Peace accord was signed between India and MNF, he gave up his Chief Ministership as party of the agreement to Pu Laldenga. In the first State MLA elections of Mizoram in 1987 he was elected as Chief Minister and continued to serve as Chief Minister after being re-elected in the 1989 and 1993 Elections. He lost his MLA seat in 1998 but got it back in the 2003 elections. Currently he is elected from both Serchhip & South Tuipui Constituency.
(CREDIT: http://cmmizoram.nic.in/cm.html#home)
For more information on his Political Activities, family, past election experience and more; click on here.

The Chief Minister, Mr. Lal Thanhawla said, "the present status of Sinlung Hills Development Council is sufficient" during the Assembly Session held on July 26 2011.


Pu Zoramthanga
Pu Zoramthanga, the former Chief Minister of Mizoram could prove to be the biggest hurdle to Cogress winning over Mizoram once again. His ten year term he served as Chief Minister may have gained him some political support that could help him in the upcoming election. He previously lost out to the Congress party in the 2008 Assembly elections.
He is part of the Mizo National Front Party and had stated that his position as Chief Minister was the reason for his previous loss and resigned shortly thereafter. He contested both North and South Champhai but found himself defeated both times.
He was part of the underground movement, The Mizo Freedom Movement in 1966. He then went on to serve as the secretary for Run Bung Area for three years and then went on to accept the post of secretary to the President, Pu Laldenga, a post he held for seven years. In 1979, He was given the responsibility of the Vice President. He was arrested by the army and held at the Assam Rifles Quarter Guard during the insurgency, due to which he is actively pushing the re-location of Assam Rifles outside the city of Aizawl. He was made a Minister in the interim government of the state.
When Pu Laldenga formed the Mizo National Front, Zoramthanga worked on the Finance and Education departments. After Pu Laldenga's death in 1990, Zoramthanga rose to become the president of the party. He proved upto the challenge when he won the State Assembly Elections in both 1998 and 2003, becoming the fifth Chief Minister. However he lost out to Pu Lalthanhawla in the 2008  elections, losing both Champhai seats.
List of Candidates for the Mizoram State Assembly Elections 2013
The lists of all major political parties in Mizoram, who will contest in the Assembly polls in the state to be held on November 25, has been announced by Monday. The Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP), one of the significant oppositions in Mizoram, has decided to contest the elections alone, fielding contestants to 38 out of the 40 assembly constituency seats in the state. On the other hand, the main opposition party to the ruling Congress in the state, the Mizo National Front (MNF) has announced candidates to 31 assembly constituencies. The MNF said to reporters on Monday that it has come into a pre-poll alliance with other political parties like the Mizoram People’s Conference (MPC) and the Maraland Democratic Front (MDF), which have fielded candidates to 8 and 1 seats, respectively.
The electoral banner under which the MNF, MPC and MDF have come together is the MDA.
The Congress which released its list of candidates for the polls last week, has decided to contest the elections without any alliances. The BJP has announced candidates to 11 assembly constituencies.
The ZNP Chief and ex-IPS officer Lalduhoma will contest from two seats, his home turf, Aiwal West-I seat and the Kolasib constituency.
The chief opponent to CM Lal Thanhawla of the Congress, C Lalramzauva of the MNF and P B Lalsawmliana of the ZNP will contest from the Serchhip constituency.
Former chief minister Zoramthanga of the MNF, will contest from the East Tuipui constituency in the Mizoram-Myanmar border, contesting against T Sangkunga of the Congress and W Chhuanawma of the ZNP.
(Inputs via http://www.elections.in)
Here is the complete list of BJP candidates that was announced on Thursday, 31 October 2013.

Constituency	Name Of The Candidate
Hachhek (ST)	Pu Pazawna
Dampa (ST)	Pu R Laltawnliana
Mamit (ST)	Pu C Darlianthanga
Serlui (ST)	Pu H A Dawngliana
Aizawl North - I (ST)	Pu David L Sailo
Aizawl Noth - III (ST)	Pu Biakmawia
Aizawl West - I (ST)	Pu Kapmawia Ralte
Lengteng (ST)	Pi Zoramchhani
Champhai North (ST)	Pu C Roliana
East Tuipui (ST)	Pu Lalrawna
South Tuipui (ST)	Pu P C Lalramthanga

Announcement of BJP candidates for Madhya Pradesh & Mizoram assembly elections: Shri Ananth Kumar, an influential leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka.
Here is the complete list of Congress candidates.
(Constituency no - Constituency name - Candidate name)
01 Hachhek - ST: Lalrin Mawia Ralte
02 Dampa - ST: Lal Robiaka
03 Mamit - ST: John Rotluangliana
04 Tuirial - ST: Hmingdailova Khiangte
05 Kolasib - ST: P.C. Zoram Sangliana
06 Serlui - ST: K. Lalrinthanga
07 Tuivawl - ST: R.L. Pianmawia
08 Chalfilh - ST: Dr. Ngurdingliana
09 Tawi - ST: R. Lalzirliana
10 Aizawl North-I - ST: R. Romawia
11 Aizawl North-II - ST: H. Liansailova
12 Aizawl North-III - ST: Lal Thanzara
13 Aizawl East-I: R. Lalrinawama
14 Aizawl East-II - ST: Lalsawta
15 Aizawl West-I - ST: Ms. Tbc Tlangthanmawii
16 Aizawl West-II - ST: Dr. Lalmalsawma
17 Aizawl West-III - ST: R. Selthuama
18 Aizawl South-I - ST: R. Vanlalvena
19 Aizawl South-II - ST: Lt. Col. Z.S. Zuala
20 Aizawl South-III - ST: K.S. Thanga
21 Lengteng - ST: H. Rohluna
22 Tuichang - ST: Lalrinliana Sailo
23 Champhai North - ST: T.T. Zothansanga
24 Champhai South - ST: J.H. Rothuama
25 East Tuipui - ST: T. Sangkunga
26 Serchhip - ST: Lal Thanhawla
27 Tuikum - ST: K. Lianzuala
28 Hrangturzo - ST: Lal Thanhawla
29 South Tuipui - ST: John Siamkunga
30 Lunglei North - ST: P.C. Lalthanliana
31 Lunglei East - ST: Joseph Lalhimpuia
32 Lunglei West - ST: Chalrosanga Ralte
33 Lunglei South - ST: S. Laldingliana
34 Thorang - ST: Zodintluanga
35 West Tuipui - ST: Nihar Kanti Chakma
36 Tuichawng - ST: Dr. B.D. Chakma
37 Lawngtlai West - ST: C. Ngunlianchunga
38 Lawngtlai East - ST: H Zothangliana
39 Saiha - ST: S. Hiato
40 Palak - ST: Hiphei


Mizoram State Assembly Elections 2008
Lalthanhawla led the Congress to victory in the 2008 State Assembly Elections by beating out the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF). National parties like the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), the INC (Indian National Congress), NCP (Nationalist Congress Party), state parties such as MNF (Mizo National Front), MPC (Mizoram People's Conference), ZNP (Zoram Nationalist Party) and other parties like JD(U) (Janata Dal (United)); registered (unrecognised) parties like the LB (Lok Bharati), the LJP (Lok Jan Shakti Party), the MDF (Maraland Democratic Front); and other independents also submitted their nomination papers.The Congress won 32 seats of the 40-member assembly, while the MNF could manage to win only three seats, and the third side in the race, MPC and ZNP, only two seats each. Lalthanhawla was sworn in as the sixth chief minister of the state. He achieved a first for the state by becoming the first chief minister to secure the seat four times. There were 6,11,618 electors, and the total turnout was 80.02%.
(Inputs via http://www.elections.in)
Lalthanhawla was almost written off when he made a dramatic comeback in Mizoram State Assembly by winning 32 of the 40 seats. Read more.

Photo credit: http://www.tehelka.com/mizoram-assembly-elections-2013/