Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, began a two-day visit to Mizoram on October 22, 2025, to support the BJP candidate in the upcoming Dampa Assembly by-election scheduled for November 11. Upon his arrival in Aizawl, Rijiju traveled directly to the West Phaileng area, which is part of the Dampa Assembly segment located in the Mamit district.
According to Johny Lalthanpuia, the media convener for the Mizoram BJP, Rijiju plans to address a public rally in Reiek on October 23 before returning to Delhi later that day. He noted that other central BJP leaders, including Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, will also join the campaign efforts for the party”s candidate.
As the campaign for the Dampa by-election intensifies, various political parties are working hard to attract voters. Lalduhoma, the Chief Minister, expressed optimism on October 21, asserting that the Zoram People”s Movement (ZPM) is poised to secure victory, citing historical trends that favor ruling parties during Assembly by-elections.
Meanwhile, Lal Thanzara, the president of the Congress party, criticized both the ruling ZPM and the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) during a meeting with party workers in Kanghmung village, alleging that they had failed to fulfill previous electoral promises.
The need for the Dampa by-election arose following the passing of the incumbent MNF MLA, Lalrintluanga Sailo, on July 21. This by-election will feature a five-way contest among several political parties, as confirmed by election officials. The deadline for candidates to withdraw from the race is set for October 24.
The ruling ZPM has nominated Vanlalsailova, a notable Mizo singer and preacher, while the main opposition MNF has put forth Dr. R. Lalthangliana, its senior vice president and former health minister. The Congress party has chosen John Rotluangliana, its vice president and former transport minister, as its candidate. In addition to the BJP candidate Lalhmangaiha, the relatively smaller party, People”s Conference (PC), has also entered the race with its vice president K. Zahmingthanga as a candidate.
According to the final voter roll published on September 30, there are 20,790 registered voters in the Dampa assembly segment, including 10,185 female voters.
