Aizawl: The Mizo National Front (MNF) has snapped ties with the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), triggering fresh uncertainty over the formation of power in the Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC).
In a letter submitted to state Governor Vijay Kumar Singh on Tuesday, MNF general secretary in charge of district council affairs R. Rohmingliana informed him that the party had withdrawn support from the Lairam Legislature Party (LLP), a post-poll alliance it had formed with the ZPM, citing unresolved political issues.
The LLP was constituted on December 14 following a post-poll agreement between the ZPM and the MNF. The LLP elected ZPM leader T. Zakunga as its leader, who staked claim to form the executive committee before the Governor on December 15.
Under the agreement, the ZPM was to get the Chief Executive Member (CEM)’s post along with five executive members (EMs), while the MNF was to get the chairman’s and deputy CEM’s posts along with three executive members. Other posts of EM rank were to be filled by the two parties as per convenience.
MNF treasurer Lalruatkima said they had waited for the Governor to approve the application for the formation of an executive committee headed by Zakunga for three weeks, but there was no response.
“As the Governor failed to approve the application even after three weeks, we have decided to explore the possibility of forming an executive body with the support of other parties,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Governor on Tuesday withdrew his earlier orders appointing a pro tem chairman and scheduling the first sitting of the LADC and the election of the council chairman, both slated for Wednesday, as the LLP failed to secure a majority following the MNF’s withdrawal.
The LADC polls held on December 3 threw up a hung House, as no party secured an absolute majority when results were declared on December 9. Thirteen members are required to form the executive committee in the 25-member LADC.
As per the results, the MNF, which fielded 20 candidates, emerged as the single largest party with eight seats, while the Congress, which contested 14 seats, finished second with seven seats. Although contesting all 25 seats, the ZPM managed to win only six, while the BJP, which fielded 10 candidates, secured two seats.
Two Independent candidates, including former LADC Chief Executive Member V. Zirsanga, were also elected.
Initially, the MNF and the Congress had signed a pre-poll agreement, which was later snapped by the Congress, alleging that the MNF had breached the pact by attempting to horse-trade several elected members, including a Congress member. This was followed by negotiations between the ZPM and the Congress to form a combined executive committee in the LADC.
According to Congress vice-president and MLA C. Ngunlianchhunga, the Congress signed a post-poll agreement with the ZPM on December 10 to form a joint legislature party called the Lairam Legislature Party (LLP) under his leadership, as he was also elected as an MDC in the recent LADC polls. However, the agreement failed to materialise as the ZPM switched sides and joined hands with the MNF to form the LLP on December 14.