MNF emerges largest party in CADC

The Mizo National Front (MNF) today emerged as the largest party in the 20-member Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) by bagging eight seats while the BJP for the first time came uncomfortably close to the ruling Congress by winning in five seats.

The counting of votes was held at Chawngte and the official results were declared by the Returning Officer N Chakhai, Deputy Commissioner of the Lawngtlai district.

In the election to the CADC held on Friday last in 19 seats, the ruling Congress could manage to win only six seats while it enjoyed absolute majority in the last council term.

Election to the Futuli seat was not held as the Gauhati High Court stayed declaration of the result as the uncontested win by the Congress was challenged by the MNF candidate claiming that disqualifying him by the Returning Officer during scrutiny was illegal and arbitrary.

MNF leaders said that the party would stake its claim to form the executive committee in the CADC and would most likely try to form a non-Congress government by forging post-poll alliance with the BJP.