Another Blow to Mizoram Congress as Hmingdailova Khiangte Resigns

Guwahati: Congress in Mizoram goes one short in number after its MLA Hmingdailova Khiangte resigned from the membership of the Mizoram house on Monday becoming the fourth legislator of the ruling party to do so ahead of the November 28 state assembly poll.

With the resignation, the Congress' strength in the 40-member house has come down to 30, while that of opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) stands at six. Four seats are vacant.

It may be mentioned here that Mizoram is the only state in the North East with a Congress Government. Mr. Khiangte submitted his resignation to Speaker Hiphei at his official residence, Assembly secretariat sources said.

When contacted, Mr. Khiangte said that he would announce the reason behind his decision as well as the future course of action today.

Resignations from the Congress began when R Lalziriliana, the state home minister and second-in-command of Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla's council of ministers, stepped down as minister on September 14 protesting against the government's refusal to create a separate Saitual district comprising his home turf Tawi seat. Two days later on September 17, after he submitted his resignation, Mr. Lalzirliana was expelled from the post of vice-president of the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) and the primary membership of the party. He later joined the opposition Mizo National Front on October 15.

Giving another blow to the party in the state, Former health minister Lalrinliana Sailo too resigned from the state assembly on October 3 and also stepped down as the member of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), general secretary of the state Congress committee and primary member of the ruling party on the same day. He too later joined the MNF.

Following the steps of his party colleagues, another Congress legislator Buddha Dhan Chakma, who was the former fisheries minister had resigned from the state legislature on October 16 and had joined the BJP in the presence of the visiting party chief Amit Shah the next day.

It may me mentioned here that Mizo National Front ( MNF) Founded by legendary Mizo leader Laldenga in 1959, is being headed by former Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga. The party is a member of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) headed by BJP.