Zoramthanga takes oath as Mizoram CM

After trouncing Congress in recently concluded Assembly elections, MNF chief and former insurgent leader Zoramthanga took oath as Mizoram chief minister for the third time on Saturday.

Zoramthanga, 74, a close aide of Laldenga, who led the 20 year-long violent Mizo Movement, served Mizoram Chief Minister twice between 1998 to 2008 before Congress led by Lal Thanhawla had wrested power. Zoramthanga became MNF chief after Laldenga's death in 1990.

Another senior MNF leader Tawnluia, who was also part of the insurgent movement, took oath as deputy chief minister, at a function at Raj Bhavan at Aizawl, Mizoram capital.

Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan administered the oath of office to Zoramthanga and 11 other ministers.

Former home minister under Congress rule, R Lalzirliana, who switched over to MNF just before the Assembly elections, following differences with former Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, was administered the oath as one of the six cabinet ministers.

Lalthanliana, Lalchamliana and C Lalrinsanga are the three other cabinet ministers.

Aizawl Football Club owner and businessman Robert Romawia Royte, K Lalrinliana, Lalchhandama Ralte, Lalruatkima, Dr K Beichhua and TJ Lalnuntluanga took oath as state ministers. Lalnuntluanga had defeated two-time Congress chief minister Lal Thanhawla.

MNF had stormed back to power by winning 26 of the 40 seats while Congress was reduced to just five. ZPM, a forum of seven small parties got eight while BJP got its first MLA in Mizoram history.

B D Chakma, a former fishery minister, who switched from Congress to BJP, won the Twichwng constituency but MNF di not include him in the ministry despite BJP's willingness.

Zoramthanga said enforcing total prohibition on liquor, improving infrastructure and revamping the state economy are his top three priorities.

Portfolios

Zoramthanga had kept finance, political, planning and program implementation, public works department and horticulture with him. Lalchamliana has been allocated home, while Royte will be the new sports, tourism and IT minister.