Mizoram: Is Hachhek Still A Strong Forte Of Congress?

Hachhek is one of the key constituencies in the Mizoram assembly election. Situated in the Mamit district of the North region of Mizoram, the constituency’s seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribes. The constituency has been a forte of Congress by winning previous three elections. However, if looked closely the grand old party may seem to start losing influence in the constituency.

With total of 23,725 voters, Hachhek had 77.84 percentage voter turnout this year. Considering the turn out in 2008 assembly election, which is 81.84 percentage, the voter turnout was a little less. In 2013 assembly election, there was a 83.9 percentage voter turnout.

During the 2018 assembly election, Indian National Congress came to power, with Lalrindika Ralte securing 33.32 percentage votes. Mr. Ralte came to power by defeating Lalrinenga Sailo of Mizo National Front. Congress won with the margin of 366 votes. While Mr. Ralte won 33.32 percentage votes, MR. Sailo won 31.36 percentage of votes.

Hachhek is a tribal constituency. Despite the ethnic riots and migration of around 35,000 people belonging to Bru community around a decade ago, over 5000 tribal people including voters belonging to minority tribes play significant role in the 2023 assembly election.

For the past 15 years, Congress has been ruling the constituency. In the assembly elections of 2008 and 2013, Lalrinmawia Ralte won the election and in 2018, he was succeeded by Lalrindika Ralte. For the 2023 assembly election, Congress kept Lalrindika Ralte as their candidate.

BJP has nominated Malsawmtluanga to compete from Hachhek constituency. The incumbent ruling party of Mizoram, Mizo National Front (MNF) has nominated Robert Romawia Royte to run for power. Earlier, Mr. Royte was the candidate of Aizawl East II constituency. He was shifted to Hachhek to compete against the incumbent MLA Lalrindika Ralte. Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) is another opposition party that plays a key role in this assembly election. The party chose to keep K J Lalbiakngheta, who is a first time candidate.