Political Turmoil in Lai Autonomous District Council as MNF Withdraws from Alliance

Political Shift in Lai Autonomous District Council

Aizawl, Jan 6: The political landscape within the Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC) experienced a significant upheaval on Tuesday when the Mizo National Front (MNF) decided to withdraw from the Lairam Legislature Party (LLP), a coalition formed with the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) after the elections.

In a formal communication to Governor Gen (Dr) Vijay Kumar Singh (retd), the MNF expressed its intention to dissolve its partnership with the LLP, citing ongoing political disagreements.

The letter was authored by R Rohmingliana, the MNF's general secretary responsible for District Council Affairs.

The LLP was established on December 14 as a result of a post-election agreement between the ZPM and the MNF.

As part of this arrangement, ZPM leader T Zakunga was appointed as the Leader of the Legislature Party and presented his claim to form the executive committee to the Governor on December 15, shortly after the Congress party ended its pre-poll alliance with the MNF.

The MNF's abrupt exit has introduced new uncertainty into the LADC, especially with the council's chairman election scheduled for Wednesday.

MNF candidate Sanghuliana Mualchin submitted his nomination for the chairman position on Tuesday, while Congress MDC H Vanlaltanpuia also filed his nomination papers.

Political analysts in Lawngtlai district suggest that the MNF's sudden change of heart may lead to attempts to establish an executive committee with the backing of the two BJP members in the council.

This situation could potentially result in defections from the Congress party, either towards the BJP or the MNF, with the former being viewed as more probable.

Insiders from the MNF, who requested anonymity, indicated that the sole Congress MLA in the State Assembly, C Ngunlianchunga, might be willing to facilitate some Congress MDCs breaking away to prevent the ZPM, which governs the State, from forming the executive committee in the LADC.

The LADC elections held on December 3 resulted in a divided mandate within the 25-member council.

The MNF emerged as the largest party with eight seats, followed by the Congress with seven, the ZPM with six, the BJP with two, and two seats won by Independents.

With no party achieving a clear majority, negotiations began promptly after the results were announced on December 9.

The Congress party withdrew from its pre-poll alliance with the MNF on December 11 and subsequently initiated discussions with the ZPM, with Ngunlianchunga being considered as a possible Chief Executive Member.

Although a ZPM-Congress coalition initially seemed poised to form the executive committee, the ZPM later redirected its efforts towards negotiations with the MNF, culminating in the establishment of the LLP and the endorsement of T Zakunga as the Chief Executive Member.