New Delhi: Zoramthanga , the leader of Mizo National Front (MNF) was on Saturday sworn in as Mizoram's new chief minister. He was administered the oath of office and secrecy in Mizo language by Governor K Rajasekharan.

Rajasekharan formally invited Zoramthanga on Wednesday to form the next government after receiving the signed notification of the result from Election Commission officials. The seventh state legislative assembly was also dissolved during the day to pave the way for the constitution of the eighth assembly.

Zoramthanga has been the Chief Minister of the state for two terms from 1998 to 2008.  The 74-year-old rebel-turned-politician was a former underground leader and a close aide of the legendary MNF leader Laldenga.  Congress’ Lal Thanhawla replaced him in 2003 and was the incumbent CM of the state during the elections.

The Mizo National Front dashed to a clear majority by bagging 26 seats of the 40-member state legislature after a decade, as Congress lost its last stronghold in the northeast. Eight seats were won by candidates who contested under the banner of newly-formed  Zoram Peoples Movement which is unregistered.

The Bharatiya Janata Party could manage only 1 seat in the state, while the Congress fell down to 5.