In Lawngtlai town, on Tuesday, Deputy Commissioner of South Mizoram, Donny Lalruatsanga, administered the oath of office to the newly appointed Deputy Chief Executive Member, Sanghuliana Mualchin, and the other 9 Executive Members (EMs) of the Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC).
Chief Executive Member (CEM) C. Lalsawmzuala also assigned portfolios to the Deputy CEM and EMs on Tuesday. The LADC budget session is scheduled to begin on March 27.
With the swearing-in of the EMs, the formation of the LADC's executive committee has been completed after a two-month gap since the announcement of the election results for the 25-member LADC, due to prevailing political uncertainty stemming from the fragmented mandate of the electorate.
Although the Mizo National Front (MNF) emerged as the largest political party, securing 8 seats, it fell short of having a majority. The Congress party secured 7 seats, the ruling party in the state, Zoram People's Movement (ZPM), obtained 6 seats, and the BJP and independents each secured 2 seats.
Prolonged negotiations between the three major political parties to form the executive committee stalled the process, and the post-poll alliance between the MNF and the Congress, under the name United Legislature Party (ULP) led by Lalsawmzuala, was finally approved by the state governor, Gen. VK Singh. The governor finally approved Lalsawmzuala as the CEM of LADC on the eve of Republic Day, and he was sworn in on January 27. Lalsawmzuala secured a majority in the council on January 29, paving the way for the formation of the LADC's executive committee.