AIZAWAL: Mizoram will for the first time witness the swearing-in of a government amid reading of Biblical verses and singing of Handel’s famed ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ and other religious hymns on Saturday when Mizo National Front (MNF) takes charge of the Christian-majority state.“We are doing it for the first time,” Lalruatkima, a newly-elected MNF legislator, said on Thursday, adding, “Singing of gospel and reading of verses from the Bible will follow the playing of the National Anthem.”Two-time chief minister Zoramthanga, who is also head of MNF, and his team of ministers will take the oath of office at Raj Bhavan at noon. MNF is known for its close association with the Church and its strong opposition to the dilution of prohibitions laws by the outgoing Congress government in the border state where Christians comprise 97% of the population. The Congress government under Lal Thanhawla had allowed manufacture of local wine and restricted sale of IMFL while MNF has always supported complete prohibition.“Rev. Lalhmingthanga, chairman of the Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitute Committee (a conglomerate of major church bodies), will conduct the reading of the Bible and Leprosy Choir (a popular group) will sing Hallelujah Chorus,” Lalruatkima said.On Wednesday night, governor Kummanam Rajashekharan invited Zoramthanga, a former MNF guerrilla fighter, and his team to form the new government. He summoned the first session of the new assembly on December 18. “This session may be for three days, during which the governor will address the newly-elected members, who will be sworn in by the pro tem speaker,” a government official said.The 40-member assembly will now have 26 members from MNF, eight from Zoram People’s Movement and five from Congress. It will also have its first BJP member, Buddha Dhan Chakma, a Buddhist who contested from Tuichawng.

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