Regional party in Mizoram to merge with BJP

Aizawl, Aug 12 (IANS) The Maraland Democratic Front (MDF), a regional tribal-based party in Mizoram, would soon merge with the Bharatiya Janata Party, a MDF leader said here on Saturday.

"In a recent meeting, we have decided to merge with the BJP," MDF's Founder President P.P. Thawlla told the media, adding that the merger programme would be held at Siaha district in south Mizoram soon.

The party was earlier an electoral ally of Mizoram's main opposition party Mizo National Front (MNF). The MNF, which has five seats in the 40-member state assembly, is one of the constituents of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.

MNF, a former militant outfit turned political party, is also a constituent of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) headed by Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

MDF, according to Thawlla, is also likely to be a member of the NEDA soon.

State BJP President John V. Hluna said that his party in alliance with the other parties in Mizoram would field candidates in all 40 seats in the next state assembly elections, scheduled in November or December next year.

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