Ex-rebel Zoramthanga all set to be CM 3rd time

Aizawl, December 11

After being in political wilderness for two Assembly terms, rebel-turned-politician Zoramthanga is back with a bang as he led the Mizo National Front (MNF) to a thumping victory in the state elections.

Zoramthanga has been the Chief Minister of Mizoram twice. He was a former underground leader and a close aide of legendary MNF leader Laldenga. Seventy-four-year-old Zoramthanga joined the underground MNF while waiting for his Bachelor’s degree in arts at DM College in Imphal. The MNF, led by Laldenga, declared independence from the Indian Union on March 1, 1966. Zoramthanga came to know that he has graduated in English (honours) while in the jungles with his MNF comrades. He was appointed secretary to MNF ‘president’ Laldenga in 1969 and was appointed vice-president of the “Mizoram government-in-exile” in 1979 as well as vice-president of the MNF.

He accompanied Laldenga to Pakistan and Europe while the MNF was holding talks with the Indian government and was actively involved in the peace parleys. Coming out of hiding following the signing of peace accord on June 30, 1986, between the MNF and the Centre, he was inducted as a minister in the interim government headed by Laldenga for six months.

A group of Independent candidates under the MNF contested for the first time in 1987, when 24 of them, including Zoramthanga, won. Zoramthanga led the MNF to victory in 1998 and formed the government with 21 MLAs. He retained power in 2003. — PTI