In yet another political move that could turn out to be another major blow to the ruling Congress party in Mizoram, there has been a series of serious talks between the incumbent Speaker of Mizoram Assembly Hiphei and Mizoram election in charge of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Hiphei, an MLA elect from Palak constituency in Siaha district was nominated by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) to contest the polls from his constituency, however, political upheaval in the Mara Autonomous District Council (MADC) has created a dizzy in the Congress Bhavan.
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A newcomer K Riacho, a retired IAS officer is being backed by the majority of the Congress elected council members of the MADC.
The six council members have submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister and party president Lal Thanhawla that they prefer K Riacho to the aged Hiphei.
Congress sources said that Hiphei had sent an emissary to Lal Thanhawla, and having known that his chances were grim, decided to go for his second option – the BJP.
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BJP sources said that Hiphei has met with Himanta Biswa in Aizawl when the saffron party kicked off their Mizoram campaign.
The Assam Health Minister was accompanying the BJP national president Amit Shah during that time.
Sources close to the veteran Congress leader said that Hiphei flew down to Guwahati on Tuesday to met Himanta Biswa, and that if deal is struck, Hiphei could be convened to New Delhi for further talks.
Hiphei is the most veteran among all the present sitting MLAs in the Mizo Legislative Assembly.
He was elected to the Rajya Sabha, for two terms, from 1990 to 1996 and from 1996 to 2002, as a member of the Indian National Congress (INC).
Hiphei was elected from Palak seat in Siaha district defeating president of the Maraland Democratic Party (MDF) P Thawlla in the 2013 Mizoram State Assembly election.