Mizoram chief minister and Mizo National Front (MNF) president Zoramthanga on Saturday said his party will win the ensuing Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC) polls slated for February 16.
Releasing the party website and manifesto for the upcoming polls, Zoramthanga said the upcoming election is crucial as it could be the prediction of future elections because one-third of Mizoram’s population lives in the AMC area.
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He claimed the Aizawl Municipal Corporation, formerly called Aizawl Municipal Council, was created by the MNF-led government.
Also read: Mizoram: Elections to Aizawl Municipal Corporation on February 16
“We are the owner of AMC and we will do work in reality. Other parties are not local-origin but came from outside. I am confident that we will win the upcoming AMC polls,” he said.
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Taking a jibe at Congress, the three-time chief minister said, “It is waning gradually and is virtually wiped out both at the Centre and Mizoram.”
He alleged that Congress met its downfall in the state because of opening wine shops despite criticism from churches and NGOs.
The MNF leader also hit out at the main opposition Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) saying it has reduced to a size where it made its beginning.
“The ZPM was hopeful of winning the 2018 Assembly polls for which it projected a chief ministerial candidate. However, when the poll results were announced, they managed to win only 8 seats (now 7). The party’s size has reduced to marginal,” he said.
The ZPM failed to win subsequent polls and did not even dare to contest Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC) polls held recently, Zoramthanga said, adding that the party was no more a tough opponent for the MNF.
Elections to the 19-member AMC will be held on February 16.
At least 66 candidates, including 20 females, have filed nominations for the polls.
The last date for withdrawal of candidature is February 1.
Counting of votes will be held on February 18.
In the last AMC polls held in 2015, the MNF won a clear majority by bagging 11 seats, followed by Congress, which won 7 seats.
Mizoram People’s Conference (MPC) won only 1 seat.