Aizawl: C Lalsawmzuala, the newly appointed Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Mizoram’s Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC), on Thursday won a vote of confidence in the House, formally establishing his majority and ending weeks of political uncertainty following the fractured council elections, an official said.
The floor test brought stability after the December polls delivered a hung council. Lalsawmzuala, a Mizo National Front (MNF) leader who was sworn in as CEM on Tuesday, secured the House’s backing during the session.
The United Legislature Party (ULP) — a coalition between the MNF and the Congress — demonstrated its strength in the confidence motion, with 15 members voting in favour of Lalsawmzuala and nine voting against, the official said.
Thanking members for reposing their trust in him, Lalsawmzuala called for cooperation across party lines to ensure stable governance.
“Our primary goal is the establishment of a stable and effective government. I urge all members, including those who voted against this motion, to join hands in our efforts to work for the welfare and progress of the Lai people,” the CEM said.
The 25-member LADC has witnessed shifting political alignments since the December 3 elections produced a hung House, with no party crossing the 13-seat majority mark.
The MNF, which contested 20 seats, emerged as the single largest party with eight members, followed by the Congress with seven seats from 14 contests. The Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), which fielded candidates in all 25 constituencies, won six seats, while the BJP, which contested 10 seats, secured two. Two Independents, including former CEM V. Zirsanga, were also elected.
The post-poll period saw multiple realignments. An initial pre-poll agreement between the MNF and Congress collapsed after the Congress alleged breaches by the MNF. This was followed by an attempted alliance between the ZPM and Congress to form an executive committee, which also failed to materialise.
Subsequently, the ZPM and MNF came together to form the Lairam Legislature Party (LLP) on December 14 and staked claim to form the executive committee. However, the MNF later withdrew from the LLP, citing unresolved political differences.
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Following this, the MNF and Congress reached a post-poll understanding, formed the ULP and staked claim to form the executive body before the Governor on January 9.
The LADC, one of three Autonomous District Councils in Mizoram, was constituted in 1972 under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution for the Lai tribal people. It has 25 elected members and four nominated members.
