Altogether 199 candidates are left in the fray for the ensuing Mizoram Assembly elections, slated for November 28 next, at the close of withdrawal of nominations on Wednesday.
The ruling Congress and the main opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) are contesting in all the 40 Assembly seats.
While MNF has 40 candidates, the Congress has 39 candidates as party president and Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla is contesting from two seats – Serchhip and Champhai South.
The third front, Zoram People’s Movement, an alliance of smaller regional parties, is fielding candidates in 38 seats, leaving out two Chakma-dominated seats – Palak and Tuichawng.
This was in respect to the appeal of the major Mizoram NGOs to all political parties not to nominate Chakma candidates, according to party sources.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which is desperate in making inroads into Mizoram have 39 candidates as one party candidate had withdrawn candidature.
The newly formed party, People’s Representation to Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM), has 12 candidates after one of them withdrew and the nomination papers of another one was rejected.
PRISM is, however, contesting in 13 seats with its president Vanlalruata contesting from two seats.
Nationalist Congress Party has four candidates contesting from five seats.
Its state president, Lalawmpuia Chhangte, is contesting from two seats.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma’s Nationalist People’s Party (NPP) has eight candidates contesting from nine seats.
NPP state president Lianzuala is also contesting from two seats.
