Tracing the Political Journey of Lal Thanhawla, 5-Time Mizoram CM

Thanhawla, who is among the longest-serving politicians in Mizoram, was the first leader of opposition in the state.

Congress stalwart and five-time Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, who had won all state Assembly polls barring one since statehood, had wanted to step aside this time, but contested from two seats to ensure his re-entry to the House.

A Congressman throughout his four-decade career as a politician, Thanhawla had told the media after being sworn-in as chief minister in December 2013 that he would not contest in 2018 as he would be 80 years of age.

But facing a combative MNF and threats from the BJP, which was seeking to increase its presence in the Northeast, he contested from his home turf of Serchhip and Champai South seat on the Mizoram-Myanmar border in the 28 November polls, to enter the house for a record tenth time.