Baryl Vanneihsangi: The Youngest MLA Making Waves in Mizoram

Baryl Vanneihsangi, a popular radio jockey boasting a substantial Instagram following, has made history as the youngest Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Mizoram, emerging victorious in the recent state election. The 32-year-old, affiliated with the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), secured the Aizawl South-III constituency by a margin of 1,414 votes.

A prominent figure on Instagram with over 252,000 followers, Baryl Vanneihsangi’s political ascent aligns with the success of the ZPM, Mizoram’s newest party, which secured 27 out of 40 seats, defeating the incumbent Mizo National Front (MNF).

Baryl Vanneihsangi, one of the three women elected to the Mizoram assembly, has become a trailblazer, emphasizing gender equality and encouraging women to pursue their passions.

In the aftermath of the Mizoram election results, the former TV presenter delivered a resounding message on gender inclusivity, asserting that women should not be limited by societal expectations. She urged women from all backgrounds to pursue their aspirations, emphasizing that gender should not be a hindrance to achieving one’s goals.

“I just want to tell all the women out there that our gender doesn’t stop us from doing anything that we like and wish to pursue. It doesn’t prevent us from taking up something that we are passionate about. My message to them is that regardless of which community or social strata they belong to, if they want to take up something, they should just go for it,” she conveyed to news agency ANI.

In a political landscape where women were underrepresented, with only 18 seats contested by female candidates out of 174, her victory stands as a symbol of progress and empowerment.

Vanneihsangi’s journey from a media personality to the youngest MLA in Mizoram signifies the evolving dynamics of Indian politics and the increasing role of women in shaping the nation’s governance.

_{Repurposed article originally published in NDTV}