Big jolt to Congress in poll-bound Mizoram as another MLA resigns

The Congress party in Mizoram, one of the very few states where they are still in power, has been hit with a major jolt as another of their MLA, Hmingdailova Khiangte has resigned from the assembly and reduced the party's number in the house to 30.

Khiangte, who had not been chosen as a candidate by Congress for the upcoming state elections, submitted his resignation letter to the speaker of the state on Monday, meaning he becomes the fourth legislator from the party to have resigned in the past two months.  

In September, Home minister of the state R. Lalzirliana also resigned from the assembly before joining opposition party MNF after the Congress government's reluctance to form a separate Saitual district. There were reports emerging about unrest between Mizoram CM Lal Thanhawla and Lalzirliana since long. But on September 11, the party, based on some rumors, served a show-cause notice to the Home Minister. And following the notice, Lalziriliana decided to part ways with the party, and stepped down from post.

It was then followed by the resignations of Lalrinliana on October 3 and Buddha Dhan Chakma on October 16. Lalrinliana ended up joining MNF after he protested heavily against the refusal of the government to not recognize Khawzawl as a district. As for Dhan Chakna, he joined BJP.

Mizoram will head to elections in November later this year. The polls in the state will take place in single phase and will be held on Novemeber 28. Its result will be announced on December 11 along with the results of four other states - Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan and Chattisgarh.

In the previous elections, Congress had dominated the state of Mizoram, winning 34 seats, with incumbent CM Pu Lalthanhawla continuing in his post. Its closest rival was MNF, which won 5 seats, while the Mizorma People's Conference won the final seat. The BJP had failed to get even a single seat. 

READ: BJP Releases Candidate List For Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Mizoram Polls

Earlier this week, BJP announced its list of candidate for the upcoming polls, and released names of 13 candidates for the state of Mizoram.