Pledge to Move Headquarters
The Mizoram Congress has pledged to move the headquarters of the Sinlung Hills Council (SHC) to Sakawrdai village if the party wins the upcoming local body elections on November 5.
Commitment to Development
During a campaign rally, State Congress President Lal Thanzara announced that the party would leverage all available resources to effectively develop the SHC. Established in 2018 as part of a peace agreement with the Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic), the SHC serves three assembly constituencies across three districts bordering Assam and Manipur.
Current Operations and Infrastructure Issues
Despite Sakawrdai being designated as the SHC’s headquarters, the council currently operates from the state capital’s secretariat complex due to incomplete infrastructure at the designated site. “We will shift the SHC’s headquarters to Sakawrdai and work diligently to develop the council and its communities,” Thanzara stated.
Focus on Peace and Criticism of Previous Administration
Lal Thanzara, brother of former Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, emphasized the Congress party’s role in fostering peace in the region. He criticized the previous ruling party, the Mizo National Front (MNF), for its unsuccessful negotiations with Hmar militants and underscored Congress’s commitment to maintaining peace, as demonstrated by the 2018 accord.
Allegations Against Zoram People’s Movement
Thanzara also addressed allegations against the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), claiming that ZPM is allied with the BJP. “The BJP is waiting to see how ZPM upholds the prestige of its two MLAs in the state,” he said.
Upcoming Elections Overview
The upcoming elections will involve 23,789 voters choosing from 49 candidates across 12 seats. Both the Congress and the ZPM-HPC are fielding 12 candidates each, while the MNF is contesting in 10 seats and the BJP in one. Additionally, there are 14 independent candidates, including two backed by the MNF.
Vote Counting Process
Vote counting will begin immediately after the polls close, as the dynamics within the SHC have shifted frequently over the past five years. In the previous election in 2019, the MNF-HPC alliance secured 10 seats, with independent candidates claiming the remaining two.
