Mizoram: LADC forms Congress-MNF coalition government

AIZAWL: After prolonged political stalemate, the Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC) in Mizoram announced on Wednesday (May 01) the establishment of a coalition government comprising members from the Congress and the Mizo National Front (MNF) to govern the 25-member council.

The LADC, one of the three autonomous district councils in Mizoram, established under the Sixth Schedule of the constitution for the Lai people in the southern part of Mizoram, with Lawngtlai serving as its headquarters, witnessed a significant development as 12 MNF members allied with the sole Congress member, C Lalmuanthanga, to form the United Legislature Party (ULP).

This newly forged coalition has formally presented its claim to governor Hari Babu Kamphampati to administer the council.

As per reports, Lalmuanthanga is expected to assume the role of the chief executive member (CEM) of the council.

The LADC, previously under the leadership of the MNF, underwent a period of governor's rule in March following the resignation of CEM V Zirsanga due to a conviction in a corruption case.

In February, the special court (Prevention of Corruption Act) in Aizawl sentenced Zirsanga to four years in prison and imposed a fine of Rs 4 lakh for embezzling Rs 1.33 crore during his tenure as an executive member of the council.

Shortly after Zirsanga's resignation, eight MNF members defected from the party and aligned with the opposition, expressing a lack of confidence in the Zirsanga-led council.

Following these developments, one of the eight MNF members returned to Zirsanga's faction, resulting in a deadlock where neither the ruling nor the opposition camp could secure a majority to govern the council, with both sides comprising 12 members each, excluding the chairman.

Consequently, governor's rule was imposed, and the Lawngtlai District Commissioner was appointed as the council's caretaker.