Aizawl:(IANS) Even the Election Commission of India (ECI) is yet to declare programs for Bipol for Dampa Assembly Constituency in Mizoram, political parties have already started their campaign in this politically important seat.
The ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) and opposition parties-Mizo National Front (MNF), Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-have already announced their candidates, which is a multi-corne competition.
The seat of Dampa Assembly in Mamit district of western Mizoram became vacant after the death of MNF MLA Lalrintalunga Sevo on 21 July. The ruling ZPM has fielded Mizo singer and preacher Vanalsalova, while the main anti -MNF has nominated its senior vice -president and former State Health Minister Drathanda. The Congress fielded its state unit vice -president and former minister John Rotalungalialia. The BJP nominated former Congress leader Laliminghanga, who recently joined BJP.
With four strong contenders in the field, the upcoming by -election is expected to be one of the most closely seen political battles in Mizoram.
State Congress President Lal Thazara had earlier said that the party hopes that he will win the by -election in the constituency. The Congress leader claimed that the people of the couple had a firm belief in the Congress, which has controlled Mizoram for many years.
Lal Thazara is the younger brother of the former Chief Minister and the father of the Congress in Mizoram, the head of the former Chief Minister and the head of the state party, Mizoram.
There was a Congress stronghold since Mizoram became a full kingdom in the constituency 1987. However, MNF is under control since 2018, weakening the influence of Congress in the region.
The Dampa by-election holds important bets for both the ruling ZPM and the opposition MNF. Under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Lulduhoma, for ZPM, a loss may indicate a decline in its popularity before the 2028 state assembly elections. After defeating ZPM MNF, for the first time in 2023, he came to power in a Christianity state.
For MNF, a win will not only make the party rejuvenate in the 2028 elections, but can also be important in maintaining his claim to keep the leader of the opposition (LOP) post.
The MNF, which controlled the border state for many years, must have at least 10 seats in the 40 -member state assembly to maintain the lop post.
The Dampa constituency, bordering Bangladesh, has an important minority population, which includes Chakmas and Renag tribals. According to the final election role published on 30 September, a total of 20,790 voters, including 10,185 women, are eligible to cast their votes.
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