A representative image of a person casting vote.
Credit: PTI File Photo
Mizoram is set to go for polls on November 7, the results of which will be announced on December 3. Incumbent Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga recently asserted that his party, the Mizo National Front, will return to power and bag 25-35 seats in the upcoming polls for the 40-member Assembly.
MNF is vying for a second straight term in the polls. In all, it has ruled for three terms since Mizoram became a state in 1987 after the then-PM Rajiv Gandhi signed the Mizo Peace Accord, while the Congress has had four terms in power.
After attaining statehood, the first Assembly polls in Mizoram were held in 1987. Independent candidates swept the elections and easily formed the government making Laldenga the CM.
However, in this article, we'll take a detour and discuss about the number of times coalition governments were formed in Mizoram.
In total, Mizoram has seen coalition governments only twice since it attained statehood.
The third state Assembly, elected in 1993, under the leadership of Congress's Lal Thanhawla, formed the first coalition government of the state along with Janata Dal.
The fourth Assembly of the state was elected in 1998. This time, Mizo National Front (MNF) led by Zoramthanga swept the polls but decided to form a coalition government with their ally - Mizo People's Conference. However, this political wedding was not a match made in heaven as Mizo People's Conference severed its ties with MNF in a short period of time.
Mizoram has seen 12 Assembly polls so far. What needs to be appreciated about this northeastern state is the fact that all of these elections have passed off peacefully. No coercion and booth capturing has ever been reported in the history of Mizoram.
(With inputs from IndiaVotes, EC, Mizoram Assembly official website, and PTI)