Mizoram LADC polls: Congress, ZPM discuss coalition as no party gains majority

Aizawl: Even as six days have passed since the Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC) polls in Mizoram ended in a fractured mandate, no party has been able to forge a coalition to form the next executive in the 25-member council as of Sunday.

In the LADC elections held on December 3, the main opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) emerged as the single largest party, winning 8 seats, while Congress stood second, bagging 7.

Ruling Zoram People's Movement (ZPM), which contested all the seats, won 6 seats, and the BJP secured 2 seats.

Two other candidates, including former LADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) V. Zirsanga, were also elected. A party is required to win 13 seats to secure an absolute majority in the 25-member LADC.

Congress spokesperson Lalremruata Renthlei stated that talks are ongoing between Congress and ZPM to form a coalition council after Congress recently snapped its pre-poll agreement with the MNF.

He added that no consensus has been reached over the formation of the next executive body so far and that the matter is likely to be settled early this week.

Before the elections, Congress and MNF had signed an agreement according to which both parties would work together during the elections and in forming the next executive committee.

Congress severed ties with the MNF on December 12, citing that the latter had breached their pre-poll agreement by attempting to lure several elected council members, including a Congress member.

Lawngtlai District Congress Committee president J. Ropianga Chinzah also stated that the MNF tried to entice an elected ZPM leader by offering him the Chief Executive Member's post.

According to state Congress vice president and sitting legislator C. Ngunlianchunga, who was also elected as a council member in the recent LADC polls, leaders of Congress and MNF would draft an agreement to form a coalition government should there be a hung assembly, as per the pre-poll agreement.

However, MNF vice president and leader of the opposition in the Mizoram Legislative Assembly, Lalchhandama Ralte, denied Congress’s allegations and stated that the MNF stands by the pre-poll agreement.