Congress debutant’s first challenge is ‘marriage to non-mizo’

FOR A while, it seemed the Congresswouldrethinkitsdecision to give a ticket to Meriam Hrangchal. But the party finally pushed ahead.

Last week, the Mizo Ziralai Pawl (MZP) — the most influential students’ body in the state — had declared that it would oppose the candidacy of women who had married outside the community. MZP president H Lalthianghlima added that they weredisappointedtohearthata party had selected such a name.

Though the MZP took no names, itwasaclearreferenceto Meriamhrangchal, 49, anentrepreneur, who is married to Deepenzoliana, agorkha, witha Mizo surname.

The Congress has given Hrangchal a ticket from Lunglei South, anstreservedseat. While she is making her debut, her fatherlalmingthangawasasenior politician with the Mizoram People’s Conference and a multiple-time MLA, including from Lungleisouthin2003, aswellas a former deputy chief minister.

The MZP has now announced a rally against Hrangchal’s nomination on Friday.“wecannotdemandthat shewithdraw... itisherright. But we can appeal to the Mizo peoplenottovoteforher,” Mzpgeneral secretary Chinkhanmanga Thomte told The Indian Express.

“We are a small minority, so we need to preserve Mizo society... Accordingtoourcustomary law, she lost her tribal status by marrying a non-tribal. She is a verysuccessfulbusinesswoman, whichshowsthatthereisnodiscrimination in our society. But it’s not something that we can acceptfortheassembly,” hesaid.

Hrangchaldidnotrespondto attempts to reach her.

Following the MZP “warning”, the Congress initially announcedcandidatesfor39outof the 40 seats in the Assembly, barring Lunglei South.

Mizoramcongresspresident Lalsawtasaidhedidnotwantto comment beyond saying that “Hrangchal is very qualified”.

Senior party leader Lal Thanzara said he did not anticipate a major backlash. “The student body will also realise that her husband’s family has been living here for generations, and self-identify as Mizos.”