Guwahati, Dec 11 (UNI) Rebel-turned-politician, Zoramthanga, the chief of the Mizo National Front, is all set to don the hat of Chief Minister again in the tiny state of Mizoram, the last frontier in the northeast of the Indian National Congress.
The MNF emerged victorious, capturing 24 seats in the 40-member assembly. INC, which was eyeing a third consecutive term, won on five seats and the Bharatiya Janata Party could secure only one. Independents won on five seats and were ahead in three.
This is the 73-year old’s second brush with the top post.
In the Assembly elections of 1998, Mr Zoramthanga led his party to victory and became the chief minister of Mizoram. He was re-elected in 2003 for a second term.
A staunch protagonist of Christianity, Mr Zoramthanga is credited with making bamboo a successful business.
He is also a writer and has penned a book Mizo Hnam Movement History (History of the Mizo Nationalism Movement).
The book is being translated into English and is likely to be released across India in a couple of months.
For 20 years -- from 1966 to 1986 -- Zoramthanga was second in command of the Mizo insurgents during militancy in the northeastern state. As an underground leader, he travelled to China and Pakistan to procure weapons for the MNF that waged a war against the Indian State.
Among his top priorities is to impose total alcohol prohibition again in the Christian-dominated state.
UNI ABI RP1744