AIZAWL: The Congress party has opted to contest the Lok Sabha elections independently in Mizoram following unsuccessful discussions for a pre-poll alliance with the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF).
Mizoram is scheduled to vote for Lok Sabha elections for April 19.
Mizoram constitutes a single Lok Sabha constituency.
Previously, the Congress, which had enjoyed approximately two decades of governance in Mizoram since 1987, engaged in negotiations with the MNF to form a joint front against the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM).
However, no consensus was reached, leading the Congress to decide to contest the Lok sabha elections in Mizoram autonomously.
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In contrast, the MNF, led by former Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga, aligns with the BJP-led Northeast Democratic Alliance (NEDA) and is an ally of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the national level.
Meanwhile, the ruling ZPM in Mizoram, contesting the Lok Sabha polls independently for the first time since its establishment in 2017, has nominated 46-year-old entrepreneur Richard Vanlalhmangaiha as its candidate, marking his debut in politics.
C Lalrosanga of the MNF currently serves as the incumbent MP from Mizoram.
Both the BJP and MNF are yet to announce the names of their respective candidates for the upcoming elections.