LADC crisis: Vote of confidence timeline extended till May 16
Aizawl: A state of general uncertainty continued till Friday evening regarding a
vote of confidence
in the
Lai Autonomous District Council
(LADC) by the newly appointed chief executive member (CEM) N Zangura of the
BJP-led United Democratic Alliance
(UDA).The air was finally cleared when additional secretary to the governor, Joseph Lalrinawma, sent a letter to the LADC chairman on Friday, fixing the timeline for proving majority in the council by May 16.The governor on April 30 appointed Zangura, the elected leader of the UDA, as CEM and gave him 10 days time to prove his majority on the floor of the LADC.
He was sworn in as CEM on Thursday amid tight security, as the Lai Students' Association launch a protest to prevent the formation of the next executive committee of the councilGovernor Gen VK Singh on Wednesday declared that the appointment of the incumbent CEM of the LADC V Zirsanga, leader of the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) legislature party, on Feb 24 as null and void. The declaration came after Zirsanga reportedly refused to vacate his CEM chair even after Zangura was appointed as the new CEM by the governor.Political uncertainty in the LADC does not, however, end with the swearing-in of the new CEM as the state district council & minority affairs (DC&MA) department instructed the council chairman T Zakunga to convene session of the LADC within 10 days for vote of confidence, counting from May 7, sources in the UDA said. The sources added the chairman, owing allegiance to the ZPM, is in a position to create hurdles by refusing to convene a special session of the council.The DC&MA's letter to chairman of the LADC T Zakunga on May 7 created misunderstanding as it negated the direction of the governor on April 30 which was notified by the same department on May 2, saying Zangura has to prove his majority within 10 days from April 30.Lalrinawma issued another letter to the newly appointed CEM on May 8, stating that he should prove his majority no later than Friday.However, the air of confusion was finally cleared when Lalrinawma again issued a letter to the chairman of LADC categorically saying the governor is pleased to extend the timeline for proving majority in the LADC till May 16. "Therefore, as directed by the Honourable Governor, you are requested to hold the floor test positively by 16.05.2025," the letter to the chairman of LADC said.When contacted, Zangura said the LADC chairman Zakunga had issued a notification summoning the session of the council on May 16.If Zangura manages to prove his majority, the UDA comprising 11 Mizo National Front (MNF) members of district council (MDCs) and 2 BJP MDCs will form the next executive panel with the outside support of the lone Congress MDC.
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