5 Mizoram independent MLAs quit to contest Nov 7 assembly polls as ZPM nominee

way2barak, Oct 10: Five independent MLAs of Mizoram assembly resigned on Tuesday to maintain the technical formalities to contest the November 7 Assembly elections as nominees of the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM).

Mizoram assembly Commissioner and Secretary Lalhmahruaia Zote in separate notifications said that Lalchhuanthanga (Aizawl South II constituency), V. L. Zaithanzama (Aizawl West-III), Vanlalhlana (Aizawl North-I), C. Lalsawivunga (Aizawl South-I) and Vanlalthlana (Aizawl North-II) resigned from the assembly.

The five assembly constituencies have fallen vacant with effect from Tuesday, the official in his notifications said.

All the five MLAs originally belonged to the ZPM but contested the last assembly elections in 2018 as independents as the ZPM was not a registered political party by the Election Commission of India at that time.

As the five independent MLAs are now going to contest the November 7 assembly elections as candidates of ZPM, which is now a registered party, they are liable to be disqualified if they do not resign, an assembly official said.

Their leader Lalduhoma was re-elected in the by-poll in 2021 as ZPM candidate and does not require to resign, the official said adding that the five legislators are now able to file nominations on the ZPM tickets.

With this, seven MLAs quit their membership from the assembly this month.

Earlier, Congress MLA K. T. Rokhaw and former minister and Mizo National Front MLA K. Beichhua had resigned.

Rokhaw has already joined the ruling MNF and Beichhua joined BJP to contest from Palak and Siaha assembly constituencies respectively.

Beichhua, who had resigned from the Chief Minister Zoramthanga-led ministry on December 13 last year, was expelled by the MNF from the party in January this year.

ZPM won 8 seats in 2018 assembly polls but lost two seats in subsequent by-polls and retained the Serchhip seat in 2021 by polls.