GUWAHATI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unveiled its list of 23 candidates for the upcoming Mizoram assembly elections scheduled for November 7 on Wednesday. The list includes several new members who recently shifted allegiance from the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) to the BJP, as well as the Speaker of the outgoing House.
With the deadline for nominations set for October 20, the party remains uncertain about contesting all 40 assembly seats in Mizoram. Johny Lalthanpuia, the State BJP media convener, however, indicated that another list of candidates might be unveiled by the central leadership on Thursday.
In the 2018 assembly polls, the BJP had fielded candidates in 39 constituencies, marking its presence with a solitary win. Dr BD Chakma, the lone BJP legislator from the previous term, has opted out of the race, announcing his retirement from active politics.
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In a significant move, Lalrinliana Sailo, the Assembly Speaker who recently defected from the MNF to join the BJP ranks, has been pitted from the Mamit constituency. Despite his victory in the 2018 polls from the Chalfilh seat, Sailo faced denial for a ticket from the ruling MNF for the 2023 electoral battle.
Dr K Beichhua, a former excise minister who had previously won from Siaha on the MNF’s ticket, has also made it to the BJP’s candidate list. He had resigned as a legislator earlier in October and subsequently joined the BJP after facing expulsion from the MNF earlier this year over “anti-party activities”.
Adding to the roster, Durjya Dhan Chakma, the ex-Chief Executive Member of the Chakma Autonomous District Council, has been given the baton by the BJP to contest from the Chakma majority Tuichawng constituency.
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Other notable names include State BJP president Vanlalhmuaka, contesting from the Dampa constituency, and party spokesperson F Lalremsangi, representing the Aizawl South-I seat.
On the other side of the political spectrum, the MNF has already announced its candidates for all the 40 assembly constituencies. The Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), the principal opposition party, has followed suit.
