Young candidates makes impact in Mizo poll

Holding street corner meetings to highlight the needs of younger generation have almost become a regular affair for young people.

There may not be the usual fanfare and colour normally associated with elections in Mizoram thanks to the diktat issued by the influential Mizoram Peoples Forum (MPF), but nearly 30 young hopefuls have already made their presence felt in the run up to the December two 40-member state assembly poll in this tiny North Eastern state.

Holding street corner meetings to highlight the needs of the younger generation, most of whom are soccer crazy, have almost become a regular affair for the young people.

Youngest among them are 25 year old Lalremruata and Lalthuammawii both from Lok Janshakti party (LJP) who are contesting from Lawngtlai West and Lunglei South respectively.

While at least 20 candidates who are in the fray for the 40-member Mizoram house are below 35 years, John L Sailo (32) fighting from the prestigious Aizawl North I seat and G Lalruathlua (28) from the Aizawl North II constituency, are the prominent LJP candidates contesting the poll from the bordering constituencies of Aizawl city.

Among the others in the list are, Laltanpuia of the Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP), a 32 year old figuring for the Mamit seat while Lalruatkima (36) of the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) have made it to the list for the prestigious Aizawl West 11 constituency who is pitted against the oldest candidate and two time chief minister, the 85 year old Brig T Sailo.

Dr F Lalnunmawia (35) of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is featuring among the list of the hopefuls for the Aizawl South III while L Thangmawia (34)of the MNF is fighting for the polls from the Lengteng seat.