BJP sweeps Village Council (VC) polls in Mizoram

AIZAWL: The BJP swept the election to the village councils (VCs) under the Mara Autonomous District Council (MADC) in Mizoram by winning majority seats in 41 of the 99 VCs, officials said on Friday. Mizoram State Election Commission (MSEC) officials said that the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) secured a majority in 25 VCs, while the Congress and the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) got a majority in eight and two, respectively. Independent candidates won one VC, while there is no clear majority in 22 VCs, equivalent to Gram Panchayats in other states and outside the Autonomous District Council areas.

According to the MSEC, of the total 492 village council seats, the BJP won 232, which included 47 seats reserved for women. The MNF managed 127 seats, including 33 reserved seats, followed by the Congress, which won 78 seats, including 15 reserved seats. In the April 18 elections to the MADC Village Councils, of the total of 43,120 voters, 33,432 voters, including 16,988 women voters, exercised their franchise. The BJP has only one legislator in the 40-member Mizoram Assembly, for which general elections will be held in November and December this year.

For the all-round socio-economic development of different tribal communities, Mizoram has three tribal autonomous bodies: the Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC), the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC), and the Mara Autonomous District Council (MADC). (IANS)