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The Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) president Pu Lalduhawma attacked the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) saying they would be an insignificant opponent in the forthcoming Assembly elections in Mizoram. "They will be as light as a feather in the poll," Lalduhawma told Sify.com in an exclusive interview.

Asked about his party’s chances in the coming elections, Lalduhawma said the Mizo people and the masses in general who had enough of the Congress and MNF parties were looking for a better party to form the government in the near future.

"Moreover, every leader has his time and the present Mizo leaders’ transitional period is over," he said.

Lalduhawma is certain that no party would be able to defeat the ZNP/MPC (Mizoram People's Convention) alignment. His party so far has 930 existing units all over the State except in the Chakma-inhabited areas in the south.

"Nevertheless, none can deny that ZNP is the most developed political party in the State," he said adding that voters as well as a good numbers of NGOs were eagerly waiting to be inducted in the party.

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Justifying his party' s alliance with the MPC party, Lalduhawma said: "No party could form a ministry only with its members and there can be no ‘safe zone’ for a particular party. On the contrary, formation of ministry is dependent upon the votes of neutralists." Although he was sure that the ZNP was the largest political party in the State, Lalduhawma believes it is not the weightage of the party but the neutralists' votes which will be a key factor in government formation.

The Congress and the ruling MNF, in his opinion, are bitter enemies as both have tried to browbeat each other's leaders through draconian laws whenever they were in power. "One of these parties even alleged that the other one was ‘Anti-Christ’," he said.

His party's alliance with his one-time arch-rival Lalhmingthanga's MPC was facilitated by K Sapdanga and Vanneihtluanga, editors of 'Vangliani' and 'Lengzem', an independent Mizo daily and a monthly magazine, respectively. His political partner Lalhmingthanga, president of the MPC and the Opposition leader in the present Mizoram Legislative Assembly also was of the view that both parties were destined to work together because of the initiatives of some prominent Church leaders and individuals.