UDA pitches T Sailo as Mizoram CM

Aizawl, Sep 25 (UNI) The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) today projected Mr T Sailo, a retired Brigadier and former Chief Minister, as its candidate for the post.

Putting an end to queries over the chief ministerial candidate, the UDA declared that if the alliance was voted to power in the November assembly elections, Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) party president T Sailo would be the next Chief Minister and Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) supremo Lalduhoma would be his deputy.

The UDA had been formed by the two parties, with the backing of Zoram Kuthnathawktu Pawl, a fast growing farmers' association, to take on the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) and the largest opposition Congress.

Speaking at a press conference here, 86-year-old T Sailo claimed that the formation of UDA would prove an important landmark that would change the entire political system in Mizoram.

''The main objective of the UDA is to put an end to the era of party government and form people's government sans the MNF and the Congress,'' Mr Sailo, who had been Chief Minister from 1978 to 1981, said.

ZNP chief and MLA Lalduhoma said, ''Mizoram's history is in the making, and I am glad I happen to play a role in it.'' UNI ZS PL SKB KN1510