Aizawl: Mizoram’s ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) and the main opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) have come together to form the next executive body of the Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC), after the recent elections resulted in a hung house.
Initially, the MNF and the Congress had signed a pre-poll agreement, which was later snapped after the Congress alleged that the MNF had breached the agreement by attempting to horse-trade several elected members, including a Congress member.
The Congress, meanwhile, claimed that it also joined hands with the ZPM to form the executive committee of the LADC.
Party sources said the ZPM and MNF on Sunday evening signed a post-poll agreement and formed a joint legislature party named the ‘Lairam Legislature Party’, to be headed by ZPM member from the Vawmbuk constituency, T. Zakunga.
There are 14 members in the Lairam Legislature Party belonging to both the ZPM and the MNF. The two parties won a total of 14 seats in the December 3 elections to the 25-member LADC
As per the agreement, the ZPM will get the post of Chief Executive Member (CEM) along with five Executive Members (EMs), while the MNF will get the Chairman’s post, the Deputy CEM’s post, and three Executive Members.
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The MNF, which fielded 20 candidates, emerged as the single largest party, winning eight seats, while Congress, which contested 14 seats, stood second, bagging seven. The ZPM fielded candidates in all 25 seats, but managed to secure only six seats. The BJP, which fielded 10 nominees, bagged two seats. Two independent candidates, including former LADC CEM V Zirsanga, were also elected.
