Aizawl: The nearly four-month-old BJP-led executive committee of the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) in southern Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district is on the brink of collapse following the defection of eight of its members to the state’s ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM).
This dramatic shift, confirmed by a CADC official on Monday, has left the BJP in the minority.
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Sources indicate that seven BJP members, including the sitting Council Chairman Lakkhan Chakma, resigned from the party and joined the ZPM on Sunday.
Another BJP member, Santosh Chakma, swiftly followed suit, making the switch on Monday.
This wave of defections has drastically altered the power dynamics within the 20-member council. The BJP, which formed its first-ever executive committee in the CADC on February 4 under Chief Executive Member (CEM) Molin Kumar Chakma, now holds only six seats, losing its majority.
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The ZPM has emerged as the dominant force with 12 members. The Mizo National Front (MNF) retains one member, Rasik Mohan Chakma, who also serves as an MLA.
One seat remains vacant following the death of a BJP member from the Kamalanagar West constituency in April. A minimum of 11 members is required to form an executive body in the CADC.
The sudden political instability has drawn sharp criticism from the Central Mizoram Chakma Students’ Union (CMCSU).
In a statement issued on Monday, the CMCSU expressed deep concern over the “persistent political instability” and urged council members to prioritize the welfare of the Chakma people over “personal interest and political power.”
The student body lamented that continuous defections have created an “environment of uncertainty and distrust,” severely impeding societal progress and “undermining the dignity of the council.”
The CMCSU stated, “Instead of focusing on the issues faced by our community, our leaders are preoccupied with political maneuvering and power struggles.”
They called upon all political leaders to uphold the trust placed in them by the electorate, urging them to prioritize the welfare of the Chakma people and “shun the culture of defection.”
The organization also demanded accountability from council members and pressed for the restoration of the council’s dignity and purpose.