Lalthanhawla was almost written off when he staged a dramatic comeback, winning 32 of the 40 seats in Mizoram. It was in a manner which was totally dismissive of the Mizo National Front's ten year reign.

Now, expectations will weigh heavy on the experienced Lalthanhawla. But while his family and supporters were celebrating the victory, Lal Thanhawla preferred to stay away. Despite a total sweep by the Congress there was hardly any emotion that the camera could catch on him, except for a brief smile when greeted by his family.

Like many of Lalthanhawla's colleagues in politics, the 66-yr-old Congress chief ministerial candidate, started as an underground Mizo National Front (MNF) cadre and rose to become the Front's Secretary. Then, he joined the Congress in the late sixties and became the party President in 1973.

In 1984, Lalthanhawla led the first Congress government in Mizoram .Significantly, in 1986 after the historic Mizo Peace Accord between New Delhi and the MNF, at the behest of Rajiv Gandhi he stepped down to make way for MNF leader Laldenga. After Mizoram was granted statehood he ruled the state for ten years.

"They missed Congress government. That's why they voted us back to power in such a massive way. Why should they vote for us, there were others like Brig Sailo. They are all educated people, I'm not," said Lalthanhawla, chief ministerial candidate of Congress.

Lalthanhawla has his job cut out. The manner in which voters dismissed the MNF government is a sure enough sign that they will not be taken for granted.

Besides other issues, there's one disturbing element that is resurfacing in Mizoram. It is the return of insurgency.

"Today there were signs of insurgency only because MNF government was helping foster them .When I could handle the MNF with the active help of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, we could handle MNF today. They are enjoying maximum benefit from Congress coming from their return. They have links and they have created undergrounds," said Lalthanhawla, chief ministerial candidate of Congress.

Congress has reason to celebrate, and so does Lal Thanhawla. It's one of the biggest victories for any political party in Mizoram's electoral history.