Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party leaders have entered a rare post-poll alliance to run the 20-member Chakma Autonomous District Council in Mizoram, PTI reported on Thursday. The rival parties entered the agreement after the results of the election to the council on April 24 provided a fractured mandate, with the Congress winning six seats and the saffron party securing five.
The Mizo National Front – a member of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance – won eight seats. The Mizoram High Court has stayed the election for one seat. The Congress is believed to have entered the alliance with the BJP to keep out the Mizo National Front.
State Sports Minister and Congress leader Zodintluanga said this alliance would not affect the status quo at the Centre, where the BJP is in power, or the Assembly elections that are scheduled to be held later this year.
PTI quoted unidentified officials as saying that the BJP national leadership was against this alliance and was likely to pull up its local leaders for making this decision.
On April 24, BJP President Amit Shah congratulated the party’s unit in Mizoram and the Mizoram National Front for securing the majority vote. “BJP-MNF between them have won 13 out of 20 seats,” Shah tweeted. “This has been possible because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s focus on the North East. It also marks beginning of BJP’s rise in Mizoram.”
The Chakma Autonomous District Council is an autonomous body that represents the ethnic Chakma people. It exercises legislative, executive and judicial powers over allotted departments within its territory.
It was formed under the Sixth Schedule in 1972 to protect the community’s rights. The council is located in Lawngtlai district, and about half of the ethnic Chakmas in the state come under its jurisdiction.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!