Political Twist in Mizoram: ZPM and MNF Forge Alliance to Govern Lai Autonomous District Council

In an unexpected development, Mizoram's ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) and the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) have formed a post-poll alliance to lead the Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC), sidelining earlier talks with the Congress.

The two parties signed an agreement on Sunday evening, creating a joint legislature group called the Lairam Legislature Party, comprising 14 elected members – eight from the MNF and six from the ZPM. The group will be led by ZPM's T. Zakunga, who represents the Vawmbuk constituency and is set to become the Chief Executive Member (CEM).

Under the power-sharing deal, the ZPM will hold the CEM position and five Executive Members (EM) posts, while the MNF will secure the Chairman's role, the Deputy CEM position, and three EM posts. Additional EM-rank positions will be allocated between the parties as needed.

The LADC elections, conducted on December 3 with results declared on December 9, produced a hung council in the 25-member body. The MNF emerged as the largest party with eight seats after contesting 20 constituencies, followed by the Congress with seven seats (from 14 contested), the ZPM with six seats (despite fielding candidates in all 25), the BJP with two seats (from 10 contested), and two Independents.

Initially, the MNF and Congress had a pre-poll pact, but it collapsed when the Congress accused the MNF of violating terms by attempting to poach elected members, including one from their own ranks. This led to discussions between the ZPM and Congress for a potential coalition.

Congress state vice-president and MLA C. Ngunlianchunga, who was also elected to the LADC, claimed that a post-poll agreement was signed with the ZPM on December 10. Under that deal, a joint Lairam Legislature Party would have been formed under his leadership, with the Congress receiving the CEM post and four EM positions, and the ZPM getting the Chairman, Deputy CEM, and four EM roles. Ngunlianchunga insisted the agreement remains in force and denied any betrayal by the ZPM.

The new ZPM-MNF alliance marks a significant shift, aiming to provide stability to the council representing the Lai community in southern Mizoram.

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