The Chief Minister of Mizoram and leader of the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), Lalduhoma, declared on Friday that his party will maintain its autonomy and neutrality regardless of any national alliances if their candidate succeeds in the Lok Sabha elections.
Addressing journalists after voting in the Chawlhhmun area of west Aizawl, Lalduhoma said that the ZPM will refrain from affiliating with either the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) or the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).
He affirmed their commitment to retaining independence as a regional party and freedom from control of any alliances at the Centre if the ZPM candidate Richard Vanlalhmangaiha is elected.
“We are not joining either of NDA or INDIA bloc. We want to maintain our identity. We don’t want to be controlled from New Delhi. We want to take independent decisions on any issue from here,” PTI reported the chief minister as saying.
The former IPS officer turned politician also expressed confidence that his party will win the Lok Sabha polls.
He claimed his party garnered public support and fielded a good candidate as compared to other contesting parties.
Mizoram has 8.56 lakh voters. Six candidates contested for the lone Lok Sabha seat, the polls of which were held on 19 April with a voter turnout of 54.18 percent.
Mizoram registered 63.13 per cent voter turnout in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, which was significantly lower than the national average of 67 per cent.