Guwahati: The Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) in Mizoram got a new executive body on Wednesday as BJP leader Nirupam Chakma took oath as the Chief Executive Member (CEM), ending a year of Governor’s rule and ushering in a coalition government backed by the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM).
The oath-taking ceremony was held at the CADC Arts and Cultural Hall in Kamalanagar after Governor Vijay Kumar Singh appointed Chakma as the CEM on July 3.
Under the terms of his appointment, Chakma must prove his majority on the floor of the 20-member council within seven days. Officials said the floor test has been scheduled for July 9.
The new executive body comes after the BJP and ZPM formally joined hands on June 23 to form the Chakma Democratic Alliance Legislature Party and stake claim to govern the council. The BJP currently holds 10 seats in the CADC, while the ZPM has nine.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Mizoram Minister for District Council and Minority Affairs C. Lalsawivunga, BJP Mizoram president and MLA Dr. K. Beichhua, BJP Mizoram state in-charge Debesh Kumar, council members and senior government officials.
A veteran politician, Chakma previously served as a member of the Mizoram Legislative Assembly and was Minister of State between 1989 and 1998, handling several portfolios. He was elected from the Kamalanagar South constituency in the 2023 CADC elections and was appointed a member of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) in 2024.
Addressing the gathering after taking oath, Chakma said his government would focus on transparent and accountable governance while prioritising infrastructure development, education, healthcare, agriculture, employment generation and efficient public service delivery. He also appealed to elected representatives, civil society organisations and residents to work together for the development of the Chakma Autonomous District Council.
Congratulating the new CEM, Minister C. Lalsawivunga expressed confidence that the new executive committee would provide stable and people-centric governance. He said the Mizoram government has strengthened the Autonomous District Councils through increased financial support and administrative reforms.
Highlighting the state’s commitment, the minister said the CADC’s budget allocation has increased from Rs 141.81 crore in 2023-24 to more than Rs 169.39 crore for the 2026-27 financial year.
He also said the state government constituted a Cadre Review Committee under the Chief Secretary in 2024 to examine the administrative structure of the Autonomous District Councils and recommend reforms related to recruitment, service rules and governance.
According to the minister, the Mizoram government has also urged the Centre to provide direct funding to the state’s three Autonomous District Councils and extend the provisions of the anti-defection law to these bodies.
The CADC had been under Governor’s rule from July 7, 2025, to July 7, 2026, following prolonged political instability marked by frequent changes in leadership. With the withdrawal of Governor’s rule, the newly formed BJP-ZPM coalition has assumed charge of the council.