Mizo National Front facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mizo National Front
Abbreviation	MNF
President	Zoramthanga
Rajya Sabha leader	K. Vanlalvena
Founder	Laldenga
Founded	1961; 64 years ago (1961)
Headquarters	Zarkawt, Aizawl, Mizoram
Youth wing	Mizo National Youth Front
Women's wing	Mizo National Women Front
Ideology	Mizo nationalism Christian right Zo Unification< Anti-CAA
Political position	Right-wing
Colours
ECI Status	State Party
Alliance	NDA (2014-2023) (National level) INC+ (2021-present) (Autonomous Councils)
Seats in Lok Sabha	0 / 543
Seats in Rajya Sabha	1 / 245
Seats in Mizoram Legislative Assembly	10 / 40
Election symbol
Elections

The Mizo National Front (MNF) is an important political party in Mizoram, India. It started as the Mizo National Famine Front. This group was formed by Pu Laldenga to speak out against the Government of India not helping enough during a big famine in the Mizo areas of Assam in 1959.

The MNF later led a major uprising in 1966. After many years of secret activities, they signed the Mizoram Accord in 1986. In this agreement, they stopped their fight for independence and violence. Since then, the MNF has taken part in elections. They have formed the state government in Mizoram three times. Currently, they are the main opposition party in the state. Their president, Zoramthanga, was the Chief Minister of Mizoram before.

How the MNF Started

In 1958, the Mizo Hills faced a terrible event called the Mautam. This happens when bamboo plants flower, which causes a huge increase in rats. These rats then eat all the crops, leading to a severe famine.

A group called the Mizo Cultural Society was formed in 1955. Laldenga was its secretary. In March 1960, this society changed its name to 'Mautam Front'. During the famine of 1959–1960, this group worked hard to get help for the people. Many Mizo young people helped by moving food and other important items to villages. This made the group very popular. In September 1960, they changed their name again to the Mizo National Famine Front (MNFF).

The Underground Movement

The MNFF was first created to help people during the Mautam Famine. On October 22, 1961, it changed into the Mizo National Front (MNF). The first leaders included Laldenga as President. Many people felt let down by how the Indian government handled the famine. This led to a strong desire among the Mizos for independence and armed rebellion.

In 1966, the MNF started a big uprising against the government. However, they could not take control of the Mizo district. This movement for independence continued for about twenty years. During this time, they even went into Burma, saying that Chin State and Tahan belonged to Mizoram. This was because many Mizo people lived in Tahan.

Peace Agreement

The period of rebellion finally ended when the Mizoram Accord was signed. This happened on June 30, 1986, between the Mizo National Front and the Government of India. As part of this peace agreement, Mizoram became a full state in February 1987.

MNF as a Political Party

After the peace accord, the MNF started taking part in elections. In the 1989 election, another party, the Congress, won. The MNF was in opposition until 1998.

In 1990, Laldenga passed away. His former secretary, Zoramthanga, took over as the party leader. The MNF won the state assembly elections in 1998 and 2003. Zoramthanga served as Chief Minister for ten years. In the 2003 elections, the MNF won 21 out of 40 seats.

However, in the 2008 state election, the Congress party defeated them, and the MNF won only 3 seats. In the 2013 state elections, they teamed up with the Mizoram People's Conference. They won 5 seats, while Congress won 34.

In the 2018 state assembly elections, the MNF made a strong comeback. They won 26 seats and formed the government again. But in the 2023 state assembly elections, the party lost power to the Zoram People's Movement.

Role in National Elections

For the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the MNF joined an alliance called the United Democratic Front. This group included seven other parties, including the BJP. They worked together to contest the single seat in Mizoram. The MNF was part of the National Democratic Alliance from 2014 until 2023.

Election Results Summary

The MNF has had a changing journey in the Mizoram Legislative Assembly elections:

• In 1987, they won 24 seats and formed the government.
• In 1989, their seats decreased to 14, and they became the opposition.
• They remained in opposition in 1993, still with 14 seats.
• In 1998, they won 21 seats and formed the government again.
• They continued to govern in 2003, winning 21 seats.
• In 2008, they won only 3 seats, a big drop.
• In 2013, they increased to 5 seats but remained in opposition.
• In 2018, they won 26 seats and returned to power, forming the government.
• In 2023, their seats decreased to 10, and they are now in opposition.

List of Chief Ministers

Zoramthanga, Party President and former Chief Minister of Mizoram.

Images for kids

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  MNF Office

See also

In Spanish: Frente Nacional Mizo para niños

• Mizoram People's Conference
• Zoram Nationalist Party
• Zoram People's Movement
• Indian National Congress
• Political parties in Mizoram
• List of political parties in India