Aizawl, Jan 12: The political landscape of the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) in Mizoram witnessed a significant shift on January 11 after five members of the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) resigned from the party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), altering the balance of power in the 20-member council.
The development comes close on the heels of the ZPM’s recent claim that it enjoyed the support of 16 councillors and its appeal to Governor V.K. Singh to convene a floor test. It also follows the Mizoram Cabinet’s assertion that the situation in the CADC did not indicate political instability serious enough to warrant lifting Governor’s rule, which has been in force since July last year after authorities concluded that no party had a clear majority.
Confirming the defections, BJP district president Durjya Dhan Chakma said the five councillors formally quit the ZPM before joining the BJP. With their induction, the BJP’s tally in the council has risen to seven members. He further indicated that the party’s strength could increase further, as another councillor is expected to switch allegiance later this week.
In the wake of the defections, the ZPM’s numbers in the CADC have dropped to 11 members. The Mizo National Front currently has one councillor, along with one independent member, further fragmenting the council’s composition.
The latest realignment is likely to sharpen calls for a floor test to determine the actual majority in the House and may influence the future course of Governor’s rule in the Chakma Autonomous District Council, as competing political claims continue to emerge.
