Mizo oppn parties form alliance to contest LS poll

Eight opposition parties in Mizoram today formed the United Democratic Front (UDF) to contest the Lok Sabha election to the lone seat in the state.
The eight-party meeting also decided to form a common front in the bye-election to the Hrangturzo Assembly constituency to be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls on April nine.
The Hrangturzo seat was vacated by Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla who retained his home turf Serchhip after winning from two seats in the Assembly polls held on November 25 last.
The UDF announced that the parties would also unitedly contest the bye-elections to the three seats, one each in the Mara, Lai and Chakma autonomous district councils likely to be held soon.

Today's meeting was chaired by the Mizo National Front (MNF) vice president Dr R Lalthangliana at the MNF office here and it was unanimously agreed to use a free symbol allotted by the Election Commission rather than using a symbol of any of the UDF constituents.
The UDF comprises MNF, Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP), Mizoram People's Conference (MPC), Maraland Democratic Party (MDF), Hmar People's Convention (HPC), Paite Tribes Council (PTC), BJP and NCP.
The meeting decided that if the UDF candidate won, he would join the BJP-led NDA.