AIZAWL: Medical practitioner and former Congress minister Buddha Dhan Chakma will go down in Mizoram's history as its first BJP legislator.The 45-year-old Chakma won from the Chakma-majority Tuichawng constituency, the seat that BJP had set its eyes on as the easiest way to step into the assembly. BJP had failed to open its account here previously, having fielded candidates in the the last five elections Talking to TOI, Chakma said, "I am very excited with the result. This is BJP's first account in Mizoram. In fact, we were expecting this result and things went perfectly, according to our calculations."Chakma, a Congress turncoat, joined BJP days before the election. He was fielded from Tuichawng, his home constituency, which he had won for Congress in the 2013 election.In August, he quit the council of ministers, where he had been the sericulture and fisheries minister, as well as the Congress party. He fell out with chief minister Lal Thanhawla over not allocating the state's quota of medical college seats to four meritorious students from the Chakma community.The Chakmas, a minority community in Mizoram, are Buddhists. Many Mizos believe that there are more illegal Chakma infiltrators from Bangladesh in the state than the indigenous population.He said the Tuichawng constituency is underdeveloped in every aspect and he now hopes to bring a change, specially in education, roads, telecommunications and electricity.BJP fielded a record 39 candidates in the election this time. However, only Chakma stood tall as the results were announced on Tuesday.Unlike in Nagaland, BJP was faced with a strong Christian-majority electorate in Mizoram, but it had three windows in terms of as many minority communities - the Chakmas, the Brus and the Maras. Last year, BJP got Maraland Democratic Front to merge with it and also got former Congress speaker and Mara leader Hiphei into its fold. However, the party failed to make inroads into the Mara-majority Palak constituency and Bru-majority Hachhek constituency.Among BJP losers is the party's state president, JV Hluna, who was defeated by MNF stalwart R Lalzirliana at Tawi. Hluna also lost his deposit.

Stay updated with all the Latest Guwahati headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.