Mizoram: Congress-MNF alliance stakes claim to form LADC executive

Aizawl: Days after the Mizo National Front (MNF) snapped ties with the ruling Zoram People's Movement (ZPM), the Congress-MNF alliance on Friday staked claim to form the next executive body in the Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC) in south Mizoram's Lawngtlai district, a party leader said.

MNF media and publicity cell secretary Lallenmawia Jongte said the MNF and Congress reached a post-poll understanding and formed the United Legislature Party (ULP).

The ULP elected C. Lalsawmzuala of the MNF as its leader, who staked claim to form the next executive committee in the 25-member council before state Governor Vijay Kumar Singh on Friday, he added.

"As per the agreement, the MNF is given the Chief Executive Member (CEM) and Deputy CEM berths, while the Congress will occupy the chairman’s seat," Jongte said.

The ULP has the support of 15 members in the council, two more than the required majority of 13, he added.

Political stalemate has plagued the LADC for more than a month after the council election held on December 3 resulted in a hung house, as no party was able to secure an absolute majority.

According to the poll results declared on December 9, the MNF, which fielded 20 candidates, emerged as the single largest party by winning 8 seats, while Congress, which contested 14 seats, secured 7 and stood second.

Although contesting all 25 seats, the ZPM managed to win only 6, while the BJP, which fielded 10 nominees, bagged 2 seats. Two independent candidates, including former Chief Executive Member (CEM) V. Zirsanga, were also elected.

Initially, the MNF and Congress had signed a pre-poll agreement, which was later snapped by the Congress after the polls, alleging that the MNF had breached the agreement by attempting to poach several elected members, including a Congress member.

This was followed by an agreement between the ZPM and Congress to form a combined executive committee.

However, the agreement did not materialise, and in a sudden turn of events, the ZPM and MNF joined hands to form the Lairam Legislature Party (LLP) on December 14 and staked claim to form the next executive committee before the Governor the following day.

Subsequently, the MNF cut ties with the ZPM and pulled out of the LLP on Tuesday, citing unresolved political issues.