AIZAWL: In a significant political development leading up to Mizoram’s November 7 Assembly elections, five independent MLAs submitted their resignations on Tuesday. This surprising move comes just weeks before voters are set to go to the polls, shaking up the state’s political landscape.
The five legislators, who originally belonged to the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), are V L Zaithanzama (Aizawl West-III), Vanlalthlana (Aizawl North-II), Lalchhuanthanga (Aizawl South II), C Lalsawivunga (Aizawl South-I), and Vanlalhlana (Aizawl North-I).
The significance of their resignation lies in the fact that they can now potentially contest under the ZPM banner. In 2018 they had contested as independent candidate due to ZPM’s unregistered status.
These resignations raise the tally to seven departures from the 40-member Assembly in recent days.
Adding to the political churn, K Beichhua, a two-term MLA and former Mizoram minister, resigned on October 6. Representing the Siaha constituency since 2013 on a Mizoram National Front (MNF) ticket, Beichhua has signalled his inclination to contest the forthcoming elections under the BJP flag.
This series of resignations witnessed another prominent figure, KT Rokhaw of the Congress from Palak constituency, not only stepping down but also switching sides to join the ruling MNF. Rokhaw now aspires to run in the upcoming polls, but under the MNF banner.
As the electoral dynamics in Mizoram undergo rapid changes with key political players switching allegiances, the upcoming Assembly elections promise to be a keenly-watched contest.
On October 4, Chief Minister Zoramthanga had addressed this recent trend of political leaders shifting their allegiance to other parties ahead of polls. He had stated that that such transitions are not unique to the pre-election period. He cited past instances of senior Congress leaders, including the current Assembly Speaker, Lalrinliana Sailo, switching to the MNF.
