Mizoram Election Results 2018: MNF's liquor ban promise and Zoram People's Movement axes Congress’ comeback

Even as the result of vote counting in Mizoram Assembly Election proceeds, the Mizo National Front emerges as the front-runner, winning 14 seats and leading in 11 other in the state with 40 constituencies. On the other hand, the ruling Congress has won only one while leading another five. One of the factors which has helped the MNF in putting forth a good show seems to be the ruling Congress government’s decision to lift the ban on liquor. [caption id=“attachment_5551221” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  The Church has a lot of influence in Mizoram. Image courtesy: Sanjib Kr Baruah[/caption] Significantly, Mizoram had been a dry state for 17 years until the Congress government decided to do away with it in the year 2014. The Mizoram government replaced Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition Act (MLTPA), with Mizoram Liquor Prohibition and Control Act. The move faced stiff opposition from the Church organisations that hold immense power in the Christian state. “Lifting of the ban has become a big problem for Mizo society. The number of alcohol-related deaths went up, people became drunkards and indulged in anti-social activities,” said Rev R Lalbiakmawia, general secretary of Mizoram People’s Forum, a church-sponsored election watchdog to the media. On the other hand, the MNF took liquor ban as it’s main issue, promising a ban its sale if voted to power. It seems to have helped the MNF to slide to power. Another factor which seems to have helped the MNF in the Mizoram Assembly election seems to be the Zoram people’s movement, which picked up momentum in the state. Significantly Zoram People’s Movement is an electoral alliance of seven parties which fielded candidates in 36 seats targeting non-Congress and non-MNF voters. “It seems that the Zoram People’s Movement ended up eating up the Congress vote bank,” says a Congress leader to Firstpost on condition of anonymity.