Hmar woman to fight Zoramthanga

Saturday, November 22, 2008, Aizawl: Nestled among the blue mountains, the two picturesque constituencies of Champhai will witness a fight between Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga who is seeking a third term, Zosiama Poachuau of Mizoram Peoples Conference (MPC) and Lalhmingthangi Hmar, a woman Presbyterian church leader.

After delimitation of constituencies, Champhai has been divided into Champhai North and Champhai South. Zoramthanga, a former guerrilla leader-turned-chief minister and a MNF stalwart is seeking a mandate from both these constituencies.

Zoramthanga, who won from Champhai for five times in succession since 1997, will be banking on his record and the massive development work taken up by his government.

In Champhai North, Zoramthanga will face former minister and MPC nominee Poachuau after a portion of his Ngopa constituency from where he had won earlier was included in North seat after delimitation.

In Champhai South, Hmar, of the local Zoram Nationalist Party (United Democratic Alliance), a first timer who resigned as secretary of the Presbyterian Woman Fellowship has joined the fray to take on Zoramthanga.

She has gone public in saying she was ‘called by god to serve the people’ which will have an impact on the 14,837 electorate of which 7548 are women.

The two seats bordering Myanmar are famous for wine production using the local Bangalore Blue grape variety regarded as the best for brewing.

Women voters outnumber men in both the constituencies.

Ruati a woman voter of Champhai South said the people are aware of the performance of the government and with restriction on campaigning the popularity of the candidates will matter.

55-year-old Mawia, a voter of Champhai North, said that popularity factor will weigh much despite the visit of top central leaders to campaign.

Source: Zee News