Newcomer turns giant killer in Mizoram as ZPM shatters 36 years of MNF-Congress duopoly
Shattering a 36-year-long duopoly of the Mizo National Front (MNF) and Congress in Mizoram, newcomer Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) on Monday registered a comprehensive victory in the Assembly elections, winning 27 out of the 40 seats. Among those who lost their seats to the ZPM was three-time Chief Minister and MNF chief Zoramthanga from the Aizawl East-I constituency. He later called on Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati and submitted his resignation. The ZPM’s chief ministerial candidate Lalduhoma, a former IPS officer, won from Serchhip constituency and looked all set to lead the new government. During the course of its campaign, the ZPM had accused the MNF of having lost its regional character by being an NDA constituent and had claimed to be the only true regional party in the fray, thereby attempting to undercut the MNF’s claims to be the champions of Mizo nationalism. The ZPM’s sweep included all 10 Aizawl seats and all four seats in Lunglei – Mizoram’s second largest town. Apart from Zoramthanga, the major upsets for the MNF included defeats for Deputy Chief Minister Tawnluia, ministers Lalruatkima and R Lalthangliana, and the state’s lone Rajya Sabha MP K Vanlalvena.
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- With promise of a ‘new system’, Mizoram party out to end MNF-Congress duopoly
Mizoram to set up boundary committee: CM Lalduhoma
Newly sworn-in Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Friday said his government will set up a state-level boundary committee to deal with border issues with neighbouring states.
Mizoram shares a 325km boundary with Assam in the north, Manipur in the east and Tripura in the west.
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Speaking to reporters after taking oath as the chief minister, Lalduhoma said safeguarding the state's boundary is one of the priorities of his government.
"A boundary committee will be formed and our leaders will take steps to ensure that all stakeholders are involved in the committee," he said.
Mizoram has negligible border disputes with Manipur and Tripura.
However, the northeastern state has decades old border dispute with Assam, which has remained unresolved till today, officials said.
Three Mizoram districts, Aizawl, Kolasib and Mamit share a 164km boundary with Assam's Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi districts, they added. (PTI)
Mizoram government will give top priority to farmers, anti-corruption measures: CM Lalduhoma
Newly sworn-in Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Friday said the state government will give top priority to farmers and anti-corruption measures.
Addressing a press conference soon after the swearing-in ceremony here, the 73-year-old leader announced 12 priority programmes of his government to be implemented in the next 100 days.
"Our Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) government will buy four local products from farmers such as ginger, turmeric, chilli and broomsticks by fixing minimum prices. Farmers will have the choice to sell their products on their own or to the government. This is our topmost priority," he said. (PTI)
Mizoram assembly session from Dec 12 for oath taking by MLAs, election of speaker
Mizoram Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati on Friday summoned an assembly session for three days which will commence on December 12, a senior official said.
Pro-tem Speaker Lalfamkima will preside over the first day of the session and administer oath to the members. The election of the new speaker will also be held on that day, the official said.
Lalfamkima, who was elected from the Kolasib constituency, was sworn in as the Pro-tem Speaker on Friday.
Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) leader Lalduhoma was also sworn in as the chief minister of Mizoram on Friday. Eleven other ministers also took oath at Raj Bhavan here.
With a 40-member assembly, Mizoram can have 12 ministers, including the chief minister. (PTI)
Buffeted by exits, BJP play, Congress diminishes in Northeast: Mizoram to Manipur, polls to allies
In 2013, in the elections to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly, the then incumbent Congress had swept the state, winning 34 seats. In the 2018 polls in the state, however, the Congress was routed as its tally plunged to just 5 seats.
In the recent Mizoram polls, the Congress diminished further as it finished at fourth position with just 1 seat, behind the second runner-up BJP that won two seats.
Mizoram was the last of four Northeastern states which went to the polls this year – the others being Meghalaya, Tripura and Nagaland – with altogether 220 Assembly seats up for grabs, of which the Congress could win just 9 seats. Read more
Express View: In Mizoram, ringing in the new
The Zoram People’s Movement’s (ZPM) slogan, “Vote for a change, give this new party a chance”, has struck a chord with the people of Mizoram. The ZPM has secured 27 seats in the 40-member state assembly, pushing the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) to the second spot. Since 1987, power has changed hands in the state between the Congress and the MNF every two terms.
In 2018, the ZPM — the party was still not registered with the EC and its candidates fought as independents — displaced the Congress as Mizoram’s principal Opposition party, winning eight seats. Read more
Here’s the full list of ministers in ZPM leader Lalduhoma’s Mizoram Cabinet
Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) leader Lalduhoma took oath as the new Chief Minister of Mizoram on Friday, making him the first leader not belonging to either the Mizo National Front (MNF) or the Congress to hold that post. Several other ZPM leaders also took oath as ministers.
Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati administered the oath of office and secrecy to Lalduhoma and other ministers. The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Raj Bhavan complex in Aizawl.
This comes after the ZPM had registered a massive victory in the recently-held Mizoram Assembly elections, bagging 27 seats out of 40. It had been registered as a political party only in 2019, and had bagged 8 seats in the 2018 polls. Lalduhoma, who was elected the leader of the ZPM Legislative Party on Tuesday (December 5), is a former IPS officer and once served as former PM Indira Gandhi’s security in-charge. K Sapdanga was elected the deputy leader of the ZPM Legislative Party. ZPM media cell general secretary Eddy Zosangliana said that the Val Upa Council, an advisory body of the party, met Lalduhoma on Wednesday to decide the formation of the council of ministers. Read more
May your leadership bring prosperity & growth to the state: Kiren Rijiju
Looking forward to work with new Mizoram CM Lalduhoma for growth of NE: Himanta
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said he is looking forward to work with his new Mizoram counterpart Lalduhoma for the growth of the North-East region.
Sarma also congratulated the ZPM leader on being sworn in as the chief minister of Mizoram on Friday.
"Heartiest congratulations to Pu Lalduhoma on assuming office as the Chief Minister of Mizoram," the Assam CM wrote on X.
The Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) leader was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Mizoram Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati in Aizawl.
"Wishing you a successful stint in advancing the state's development and looking forward to working with you to build a prosperous & harmonious North East," Sarma said.
Lalduhoma sworn in as Mizoram CM
Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) leader Lalduhoma was sworn in as the chief minister of Mizoram on Friday.
Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati administered the oath of office and secrecy to Lalduhoma. Eleven other ZPM leaders will also take oath as ministers.
The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Raj Bhavan where Mizo National Front leader and outgoing chief minister Zoramthanga was present.
All MNF MLAs, including its legislature party leader Lalchhandama Ralte, attended the event. Former chief minister Lal Thanhawla was also present there.
On Tuesday, the ZPM Legislature Party elected Lalduhoma as its leader and K Sapdanga as the deputy leader. (PTI)
Mizoram Swearing-in Ceremony Live Updates: ZPM leader Dr Vanlalthlana takes oath as Minister
Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) leader Dr Vanlalthlana took oath as a Cabinet Minister in the Mizoram government on Friday.
Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) leader Lalthansanga took oath as a Cabinet Minister in the Mizoram government on Friday.
Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) leader K Sapdanga took oath as a Cabinet Minister in the Mizoram government on Friday.
On Tuesday, he had been elected as the deputy leader of the ZPM Legislative Party.
Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) leader Vanlalhlana took oath as a Cabinet Minister in the Mizoram government on Friday.
Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) leader C Lalsawivunga took oath as a Cabinet Minister in the Mizoram government on Friday.
Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) leader Lalduhoma, 73, took oath as the new Chief Minister of Mizoram today, making him the first leader not belonging to either the Mizo National Front (MNF) or the Congress to hold that post. Several other ZPM leaders also took oath as ministers. Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati administered the oath of office and secrecy to Lalduhoma and other ministers. The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Raj Bhavan complex in Aizawl.
Lalduhoma, who was elected the leader of the ZPM Legislative Party on Tuesday (December 5), is a former IPS officer and once served as former PM Indira Gandhi’s security in-charge.
He resigned from the service in 1984 and joined the Congress, getting elected to the Lok Sabha later that year. In 1988, he ended up becoming the first MP to be disqualified under the anti-defection law after he resigned from the Congress. Before the formation of the ZPM, he had been elected as MLA in 2003 from another party he had founded, the Zoram Nationalist Party.
The ZPM had registered a massive victory in the recently-held Mizoram Assembly elections, bagging 27 seats out of 40. It had been registered as a political party only in 2019, and had bagged 8 seats in the 2018 polls.
Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) leader Lalduhoma, 73, will be sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Mizoram today, making him the first leader not belonging to either the Mizo National Front (MNF) or the Congress to hold that post. Several other ZPM leaders will also take oath as ministers on the same day, officials said.
Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati will administer the oath of office and secrecy to Lalduhoma and other ministers. The swearing-in ceremony will be held at the Raj Bhavan complex if the weather is clear in Aizawl. If not, the programme will be shifted to the annexe building of the assembly, officials said.