Restore democratic governance: ZPM urges governor to end Governor’s Rule in CADC; Calls for immediate formation of executive committee

Aizawl: Chairperson of the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) media department and Mizoram’s information & public relations minister, B Lalchhanzova, on Wednesday urged governor gen Vijay Kumar Singh to restore democratic governance in the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) by ending Governor’s Rule.

Lalchhanzova said Governor’s Rule was imposed on July 7 last year, despite the ZPM legislature party staking claim to form the executive committee with 16 members in the 20-member council.

“Today, the six-month Governor’s Rule is over, and we desire that democratic rule be restored in the CADC,” he said while addressing a press meet here.

He added that representatives of the CADC ZPM legislature party, led by Lakhan Chakma, had met the governor at Lok Bhavan, where he assured them that “he will give them a new year blessing”.

However, Lalchhanzova expressed concern that the governor might extend the Governor’s Rule instead of allowing the formation of an executive committee. He said Singh, through the chief secretary, on Tuesday consulted the council of ministers under Paragraph 20BB of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution on whether CADC should remain under suspension.

The governor also sought advice on constituting a fresh inquiry commission. Lalchhanzova pointed out that three reports — by an earlier inquiry commission, a study team headed by the chief secretary, and the deputy commissioner of Lawngtlai — had already examined CADC’s functioning. The council of ministers concluded that these were sufficient and no new commission was necessary.

On the question of extending Governor’s Rule, the council of ministers observed that the ZPM, with 16 MDCs, remains capable of forming a stable govt. In line with earlier high court directions to explore all means of government formation, the council recommended allowing the ZPM to form the executive committee.

“Even after the expiry of the present term of Governor’s Rule, the party capable of forming the govt continues to be in a position to do so. Therefore, there is no justification for extending Governor’s Rule,” Lalchhanzova said.

He further said the ruling party would strongly oppose any move to block the formation of the executive committee and demanded a floor test to establish majority support.

The press meet was attended by 15 of the 16 ZPM MDCs, CADC district president T Karan Dewan, and ZPM legal board chairman Vanlalsiama.