File photo of Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla.
After facing a debacle in four states, the Congress on Monday got some good news in Mizoram where it won a two-thirds majority in the Assembly elections, winning 32 of 40 seats. Opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) secured seven and Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) one.
Counting in one seat, Lawngtlai East, could not be completed because of a problem in an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) at Tialdawngilung polling station, Joint Chief Electoral Officer H Lalengmawia said.
A re-poll would be held on December 11 and counting on December 12, he said.
Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, all set for a fifth term, won from both Serchhip and Hrangturzo seats he contested.
In Serchhip, Mr Thanhawla, who was elected to the Assembly for a record ninth time since 1978, won by a margin of 734 votes defeating his nearest MNF rival Lalramzauva, who got 4,985 votes in a four-cornered contest.
In Hrangturzo, the Chief Minister defeated his MPC rival Lalthansanga by 1,638 votes.
Mr Thanhawla received 5173 votes in the contest. He had been chief minister in 1984, 1989, 1993 followed by a break for two terms before he donned the mantle again in 2008.
Of the 11 ministers who contested, nine -- R Lalzirliana (Home), J H Rothuama (Cooperation), P C Zoram Sangliana (Transport), H Rohluna (Forests), Lalrinliana Sailo (Health), Lalsawta (Education), Zodintluanga (Sports), P C Lalthanliana (Social Welfare), Veterinary Minister Nihar Kanti Chakma -- won.
Finance Minister H Liansailova was defeated in Aizawl North-II by Lalthanliana of MPC, a junior partner of MNF. Tourism Minister S Hiato lost to MNF's K Beichhua in Saiha.
Assembly Speaker R Romawia won from the prestigious Aizawl North-I seat while Deputy Speaker John Rotluangliana won from Mamit.
Congress also bagged the Tuivawl, South Tuipui, Lunglei South, Palak, Champhai North, Lawngtlai West, Tuirial, Tawi and Tuichawng seats.
On the poll outcome, Mr Thanhawla said contrary to anti-incumbency playing a crucial role after completion of a five-year term, in Mizoram "pro-incumbency worked in favour of Congress.
"I am going to form the next government in the state," he said.
The main Opposition Mizo National Front was far behind bagging five seats -- Saiha, Tuikum, Aizawl West-I, Aizawl West-II, Aizawl West - III, two more than in 2008.
Among the five, the party's Rajya Sabha MP Lalhming Liana won from Serlui defeating Congress' R Selthuama.
Barring MNF and MPC, Maraland Democratic Front, a constituent of the three-party alliance failed to open its accounts. The MDF had one seat earlier.
A prominent loser was opposition Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) chief Lalduhawma, who was defeated both from Aizawl West-I and Kolasib. The party had two seats in the outgoing House.
The BJP, which had fielded 17 candidates, and the NCP (2) drew a blank.
In Aizawl, one seat, the last one result announced late tonight, Lalmia Sailo, President of MPC, was defeated by Congress' R Lalrinawma.
Lalmia Sailo is also the son of former Chief Minister Brigadier Sailo.