INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
the rank and file of the Mizo National Front (MNF), the main opposition to the Congress in Mizoram
Their optimism is based on the history of the state where governments change every 10 years
However, it appears that smaller parties are going play a crucial in this assembly polls.The MNF has been out of power for 10 years now
The party's performance was dismal in the last two assembly polls and this time the task doesn't look easy at all."I have heard them and I
don't like their big talk
We want to see real action and we would also like to see a new face as the chief minister," says first-time voter Lucy in Aizawl.Lal
Thanhawla, 76, has been the chief minister since December 11, 2008
In the 2013 assembly elections, he became the chief minister for the fifth time, a record in Mizoram
Zoramthanga, MNF leader, was the Chief Minister of Mizoram from December 1998 to December 2008.A joint platform of six regional parties
backed by several powerful civil society groups may upset the MNF's poll arithmetic
The Zoram Peoples' Movement (ZPM) may also turn out to be the kingmaker, which is why national parties like Congress and BJP see them as
possible post-poll partners.However, support for a new alternative can already be seen on the streets of Aizawl."I need a new government,
and if possible we all should vote for the ZPM," said Anish Chettri, a young voter in Aizawl.The BJP with its high voltage campaign,
including a rally by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is trying its best to woo voters."In the last 20 years, the MNF and Congress had 10 years
each to govern, but their performances have been poor
The leaders are the same and their ideas haven't evolved
We are getting support from civil society and we have silent voters, they are key for us," ZPM general secretary K Sapdanga told
TheIndianSubcontinent.In the assembly polls in 2013, smaller regional parties fought separately, they won only one seat but got about 24 per
cent of the vote share.Their chief ministerial candidate - Laldhauhwma, a former IPS officer -- is immensely popular among young voters.The
alliance formed a year ago is contesting 39 of the total 40 seats and in case of a hung assembly would surely play a decisive role in
