Mizoram Assembly Election 2023: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday released two lists of candidates, with 12 and nine names respectively, for the forthcoming Mizoram Assembly polls on November 7.

In the lists, the two Mizo National Front (MNF) leaders who jumped ship to the BJP recently have been featured. It includes Lalrinliana Sailo, the former speaker of the Mizoram Legislative Assembly, who resigned from the Assembly and joined the BJP last week after being denied a ticket by the MNF.

The BJP has fielded him from the Mamit constituency; he had won from the Chalfih seat in 2018.

Also Read: Mizoram Elections 2023: Full list of Zoram People’s Movement Candidates

In the previous election, the BJP had contested in 39 seats but only managed to win the Tuichawng constituency. The seat was represented by Buddha Dhan Chakma who is from the minority Chakma community. The MLA announced his retirement earlier this year. The party has now fielded Durjya Dhan Chakma, the former Chief Executive Member of the Chakma Autonomous District, who switched from the MNF to the BJP earlier this month.

The other high-profile entry into the BJP in the last few weeks was of K Beichhua. A former minister in Chief Minister Zoramthanga’s Cabinet, he had been expelled from the MNF this January for “anti-party activities”. He will be contesting from the Siaha seat.

Other names on the list include BJP Mizoram president Vanlalhmuaka; he will be contesting from Dampa.

Also Read: Mizoram Election 2023: Candidates, Schedule, Constituencies to watch out for – All poll details here

Mizoram, which votes on November 7, has a 40-member Assembly. The last day of filing nominations is Friday, October 20. The results will be announced on December 3.

Here’s the list of BJP candidates:

  • Hacchek (ST) – Malsawmtluanga
  • Dampa (ST) – Vanlalhmuaka
  • Mamit (ST) – Lalrinliana Sailo
  • Serlui (ST) – Robinson Malsawmtluanga Hmar
  • Champhai North (ST) – PS Zatluanga
  • Hrangturzo (ST) – Lalmalsawma
  • Lunglei West (ST) – R Lalbiaktluangi
  • Thorang (ST) – Shanti Bikash Chakma
  • West Tuipui (ST) – T Lalengthanga
  • Tuichawng (ST) – Durjya Dhan Chakma
  • Saiha (ST) – K Beichhua
  • Palak (ST) – K Hrahmo
  • Tuirial (ST) – F Vanhmingthanga
  • Kolasib (ST) – R Lalthangliana
  • Tuivawl (ST) – Judy Zohmingliani
  • Chalfilh (ST) – Zonuntluanga
  • Aizawl North-III (ST) – Chawnghmingthanga
  • Aizawl South-I (ST) – F Lalremsangi
  • Lengteng (ST) – B Suanzalang
  • Serchhip (ST) – K Vanlalruati
  • Lunglei South (ST) – T Biaksailova