Who is Baryl Vanneihsangi, RJ-turned-politician, Mizoram’s youngest woman MLA?

Mizoram Assembly election results are historic on two counts. It is the first time voters have picked a party other than the Mizo National Front (MNF) and the Congress to rule the state. This is also the first time that more than one woman has been voted to the 40-member Assembly. One of these three newly-elected MLAs includes Baryl Vanneihsangi of the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM). At 32, she is the youngest female MLA of Mizoram. Who is she and the other female MLA-elects in the northeastern state? Let’s take a closer look. Who is Baryl Vanneihsangi? Baryl Vanneihsangi is reportedly a former radio jockey (RJ). The ZPM leader won the Aizawl South-III seat by 1,414 votes, defeating F Lalnunmawia of the outgoing Mizo National Front (MNF). While Vanneihsangi got 9,370 votes, her closest rival from the MNF received 7,956 votes. Congress candidate Rosiamngheta stood at the third position with 2,066 votes. ZPM’s Vanneihsangi has earlier served as a corporator in Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC), Hindustan Times (HT) reported citing her affidavit in the Election Commission (EC). The former TV presenter completed her master of arts from the North Eastern Hill University in Shillong, Meghalaya, according to the newspaper. Vanneihsangi, who enjoys 253k followers on Instagram, seems to be an avid social media user. Speaking after her victory, Vanneihsangi said that more women entering the Mizoram Assembly were bound to happen as barriers are being broken around the world. “It is a proud moment for women but the challenge ahead is to live up to the expectations of the people who gave us a chance to change the system,” The Hindu quoted her as saying. She told Newslaundry about the challenges she faces as a young woman, who often has to convince people to take her “seriously” as a politician. Vanneihsangi also urged women to pursue their goals. “I just want to tell all the women out there that our gender doesn’t stop us from doing anything that we like and wish to pursue. It doesn’t prevent us from taking up something that we are passionate about. My message to them is that regardless of which community or social strata they belong to, if they want to take up something they should just go for it,” Vanneihsangi told the news agency ANI.

#WATCH | Aizawl: On Mizoram Assembly Elections, Baryl Vanneihsangi - the youngest woman MLA of Mizoram says, "I just wanted to let all the females know that even if we're a female, it doesn't mean that this has to stop us from doing something that we like and we are passionate… pic.twitter.com/IX85JH8v17

— ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2023

Besides Vanneihsangi, ex-India footballer Jeje Lalpekhlua of the ZPM, who won from the South Tuipui constituency, is also among the youngest MLAs in the state. Mizoram’s women MLAs The other female MLAs elected to the Mizoram Assembly are Lalrinpuii of the ZPM and MNF’s Prova Chakma. Lalrinpuii trounced Congress candidate Joseph Lalhimpuia from the Lunglei East by 1,646 votes. MNF’s Chakma triumphed over Nihar Kanti Chakma of the Congress to win the West Tuipui seat by 711 votes. Mizoram, which was elevated to a Union Territory in 1972, got its first woman MLA – L Thanmawii of the People’s Conference – only six years later, as per The Hindu report. In 1984, People’s Conference leader K Thansiami became the second woman MLA in 1984, followed by MNF’s Lalhlimpuii. Mizoram became a state only in February 1987. Vanlalawmpuii Chawngthu, who was elected in a 2014 by-poll, was appointed as a junior minister in the Congress government headed by Lal Thanhawla in 2017. This made her only the second-ever female minister in the state after Lalhlimpuii. From 1972 to 2017, Mizoram elected only a lone woman MLA to the House, The Hindu reported. Moreover, the outgoing Assembly had no female lawmakers. Of the 174 candidates in the election race this time, only 16 women got tickets. Lalramdingngheti and Lalruatfeli Hlwando fought as Independents on two seats each, noted The Hindu.

Meanwhile, ZPM chief Lalduhoma met Mizoram governor Hari Babu Kambhampati on Wednesday (6 December) to stake claim to form the government, reported PTI. The former IPS officer is set to become the next chief minister of the state. His party recorded a thumping victory, winning 27 out of the 40 seats. The ruling MNF was reduced to 10 seats. The BJP bagged two seats, while the Congress could manage to clinch only one. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which contested four seats, failed to secure even one. With inputs from agencies