Mizoram: Five ZPM MDCs quit party, join BJP in Chakma Autonomous District Council

Aizawl: In a dramatic political development, five district council members (MDCs) of the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC), belonging to the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), quit the party and joined the BJP on Sunday, a party leader said.

The development came days after the ZPM claimed it commanded a majority with 16 members in the 20-member council and asked Governor Vijay Kumar Singh to order a floor test to prove its majority.

It also followed a state cabinet observation that ruled out any political instability necessitating the extension of Governor’s Rule, which has been imposed in the council since July last year, citing that a particular party was currently commanding a majority.

BJP Chakma district unit president Durjya Dhan Chakma said five elected members of the council withdrew support from the ZPM legislature party, headed by Lakhan Chakma, and quit the party on Sunday.

He said the five members joined the BJP soon after withdrawing their primary membership from the ZPM on the same day.

With the induction of the new members, the BJP’s strength in the CADC has risen to seven, he said.

Chakma also claimed that one more member is likely to join the BJP this week.

The estranged MDCs said they had completely lost faith in the leadership and functioning of the ZPM, both at the state level and within the CADC.

The ZPM and the MNF now have 11 and one member, respectively, while one member has no party affiliation.