MNF fields ex-Mizoram minister R Lalthangliana for Dampa bypoll

    Aizawl, Sep 3 (PTI) Mizoram's main opposition party Mizo National Front (MNF) on Wednesday nominated its senior vice-president and former state minister R Lalthangliana for the bypoll to the Dampa assembly seat.
    The date of the bypoll is yet to be announced by the Election Commission.
    MNF president Zoramthanga announced Lalthangliana as the party candidate for the by-election in a function held at its office in Aizawl.
    The Dampa assembly seat in west Mizoram's Mamit district fell vacant after the death of incumbent MNF legislator Lalrintluanga Sailo on July 21.
    Zoramthanga said his party was able to secure the Dampa seat, even though there was a strong wave in favour of the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) in the last assembly polls in 2023.
    “As the ZPM wave dwindles, we are hopeful that our candidate will win this time, too,” he said.
    Lalthangliana was a cabinet minister in the previous MNF government headed by Zoramthanga between 2018 and 2023.
    He had held various portfolios, including health, commerce and industries, and higher and technical education.
    Lalthangliana asserted that he will resume the work left behind by Sailo, including cross-border trade with Bangladesh.
    The former minister had contested the last assembly polls in November 2023 from the South Tuipui constituency, but lost to ZPM nominee Jeje Lalpekhlua by a margin of 135 votes.
    Earlier on August 25, the ZPM had named Mizo singer Vanlalsailova as the party candidate for the Dampa bypoll.
    The BJP and the Congress are yet to announce the names of their candidates.
    State BJP president and sitting MLA K Beichhua said that the party has already finalised its candidate, whose name has been referred to the central leadership for approval.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)