The Congress–MNF alliance has officially staked its claim to form the next executive body in the Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC) in Lawngtlai district, Mizoram, ending weeks of political uncertainty following the recent council elections.
Lallenmawia Jongte, the MNF’s media and publicity secretary, confirmed that the two parties had reached a post-poll understanding and formed the United Legislature Party (ULP). The newly established ULP elected C Lalsawmzuala as its leader, who then presented the claim to form the new executive committee to Mizoram Governor Vijay Kumar Singh. According to the agreement, the Mizo National Front (MNF) will hold the posts of Chief Executive Member (CEM) and Deputy CEM, while the Congress will take the chairmanship of the council. Jongte also highlighted that the ULP commands the support of 15 out of the 25 members in the council, comfortably securing the majority mark of 13.
The LADC has been in a state of political uncertainty since the December 3 elections, which ended in a hung council with no party winning an outright majority. The results, announced on December 9, saw the MNF emerge as the largest party with eight seats from the 20 it contested. Congress secured seven seats from 14 constituencies, while the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), which contested all 25 seats, won six. The BJP captured two seats from the 10 it contested, and two independent candidates, including former CEM V Zirsanga, were also elected.
The post-election period has been marked by shifting political alliances and realignments. Although the MNF and Congress had initially entered into a pre-poll agreement, the Congress pulled out after the elections, accusing the MNF of attempting to poach members from other parties. This led to a brief understanding between Congress and ZPM, which ultimately failed.
In a surprising twist, the ZPM and MNF formed the Lairam Legislature Party (LLP) on December 14 and staked a claim to form the executive committee the next day. However, this alliance quickly fell apart, with the MNF withdrawing from the LLP earlier this week due to unresolved political differences.
With the Congress–MNF alliance now holding a clear majority, the LADC is poised to see a more stable executive body following weeks of political instability in this key autonomous council of south Mizoram.
