The reversal of the Congress’ fortunes in the Hindi belt had no bearing in the North-East, where it lost its last foothold, in Mizoram. The Congress is now not in power in any of the seven N-E States, where either the BJP or various constituents of its North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) are in power.

Among the results highlights — besides the rout of the Congress and stupendous victory of NDA constituent Mizo National Front (MNF) — was Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla losing in both the constituencies he had contested from.

The Congress’s tally has come down from 34 in the 40-member Assembly to just five seats. The MNF, led by former rebel Zoramthanga, secured a comfortable majority with 26 seats.

Dual loss for Thanhawla

Thanhawla, meanwhile, lost from both Champhai South and his home turf Serchhip. In Serchhip, he was defeated by Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) leader Lalduhoma by 410 votes.

In Champhai South constituency near the Myanmar border, he lost to TJ Lalnuntluanga, a political novice and MNF nominee, by 1,049 votes.

The BJP has won just one seat. With the MNF having a simple majority, it is unlikely that Zoramthanga, who heads a party celebrating Mizo nationalism, will include the lone BJP MLA, Buddha Dhan Chakma, in his government.

For the national convener of NEDA, Himanta Biswa Sarma, a former Congress leader who harbours a personal grudge against Congress President Rahul Gandhi, this was a moment to celebrate.

“With its Mizoram constituents, NEDA will head governments in the entire North-East. We worked towards it tirelessly for last three yrs under leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Congratulations to Pu Zoramthanga for historic win of MNF in Mizoram. Meanwhile, the BJP has also opened its account in Mizoram,” he said on Twitter.

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