Third front UDF proves MNF146;s nemesis

Analysing the detailed break-up of votes polled by candidates in most of the constituencies, results for which were declared on Monday, it is evidently clear that the UDA, a three-party front, was definitely responsible for ensuring that the MNF was voted out of power.

The Congress does not accept it, nor does the Mizo National Front MNF. Yet, analysing the detailed break-up of votes polled by candidates in most of the constituencies, results for which were declared on Monday, it is evidently clear that the United Democratic Alliance UDA, a three-party front, was definitely responsible for ensuring that the MNF was voted out of power.

The UDA 8212; comprising the Mizo People8217;s Conference MPC, Zoram Nationalist Party ZNP, Zoram Kuthnathawktu Pawl ZKP, and the 8216;non-political8217; Mizo Farmers8217; Union, and given one seat to contest 8212; hardly caught the attention of the Mizo National Front. Even after the ruling party was washed out, senior MNF leaders refused to accept the reality.

8220;I don8217;t think the UDA had any major impact in the election outcome,8221; claimed MNF spokesman K Aithanga. 8220;It was more the anti-incumbency factor and the baseless campaign that the Congress carried out,8221; he claimed, refusing to take into account the fact that the UDA had pushed MNF candidates to the third slot in several important constituencies.

In South Tuipui LAC, for instance, while veteran Congress leader and former CM Lalthanhawla polled 3,772 votes, it was UDA8217;s J Lalchhuana8217;s 3,676 votes that reduced the MNF8217;s candidate8217;s total to 2,760, in the process ensuring that the seat went to the Congress. Lalthanhawla8217;s victory was also ensured when UDA8217;s C Lalramzauva polled 3,792 votes against 3,338 of R Lalhnuna MNF in Serchhip. Other important constituencies where the UDA candidates came second include Tuirial, Chalfilh, Aizawl North II, Aizawl West II, Lengteng and Tuikum.

Veteran Congress leader Lalthanhawla also refused to accept the fact that much of the credit for the Congress victory should be given to the MPC, a three-party non-Congress non-MNF alliance. 8220;I don8217;t think it is because of the UDA that we won. We worked hard for this victory. We opened the eyes of the people against the misdeeds of the MNF. In some pockets, the MNF supporters voted for the UDA candidates out of frustration. There are a sizeable number of die-hard regionalist people who would never vote for the Congress and found solace in voting for the UDA,8221; Lalthanhawla said.