MNF-Cong alliance gains majority, wins Lai council chairmanship

Aizawl: The United Legislature Party (ULP), formed by Mizo National Front (MNF) and Congress, has moved closer to forming the executive committee in the Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC) with the election of ULP leader and Congress member C Lalmuanthanga as chairperson on Wednesday.

The election, held at Lawngtlai town in south Mizoram, was chaired by protem chairperson Pu C Hrangthianga. Lalmuanthanga defeated T Lalchhuanvawra of the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), securing 15 votes against Lalchhuanvawra’s 7, while one vote was declared invalid.


Chief executive member (CEM) and ULP leader C Lalsawmzuala will face a confidence vote in the council on Thursday. Given the chairperson’s election result, he is expected to secure majority support. Lalsawmzuala was sworn in as CEM on Tuesday by Lawngtlai deputy commissioner Donny Lalruatsanga.

Formation of the executive committee had been delayed due to shifting alliances among the three major parties, none of which secured a majority in the 25-member LADC election held on Dec 3. The MNF emerged as the largest party with 8 seats, followed by Congress with 7, ZPM with 6, BJP with 2, and 2 independents.

Initially, Congress broke its pre-poll alliance with the MNF soon after results were announced on December 9. A subsequent attempt by Congress and ZPM to form a post-poll alliance under C. Ngunlianchunga collapsed amid delays in appointing him as CEM.

After weeks of negotiations, MNF and Congress finally agreed to form a coalition under the banner of ULP, commanding 15 MDCs. The alliance staked its claim to form the executive committee before the governor on Jan 9.