A day after Mizoram Assembly Speaker, Lalrinliana Sailo, tendered his resignation, Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton expressed his support on social media today, welcoming Sailo to the BJP, thereby intensifying the political upheaval in the state of Mizoram.
Sailo’s departure from his post, as well as from the 40-member Assembly, came in response to the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) denying him a ticket to contest in the forthcoming election.
Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland, Y Patton, praised Sailo’s decades of service to the state in a tweet, demonstrating the BJP’s commitment to expanding its influence in the region.
Sailo’s resignation follows the path of several other legislators who have resigned in anticipation of the imminent Assembly election on 7 November. He is the eighth Mizoram legislator to do so, with his decision reflecting the growing political tension in the state.
The 64-year-old Sailo submitted his resignation letter to Assembly Deputy Speaker H Biakzauva and Assembly Secretary Lalhmahruaia Zote, with State BJP leaders accompanying him during the process.
Sailo emphasized his reason for leaving the MNF party, stating that he intends to join the BJP to foster the all-round development of Mizoram. According to The Hindu, he underscored the importance of Mizoram receiving support and funding from the Central government, where the BJP holds power.
Sailo, who previously switched allegiance from the Congress to the MNF before the 2018 elections, has served as a four-time representative of the Chalfilh Assembly constituency.
The political landscape in Mizoram has been further stirred by the resignation of five Independent MLAs who intend to contest the November 7 election as nominees of the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM). These five legislators were initially part of the ZPM but contested the 2018 election as Independents due to the party’s unregistered status at the time.
In recent weeks, the state has witnessed a series of resignations from legislators, with KT Rokhaw and K Beichhua leaving their posts as Congress and MNF members, respectively. Beichhua subsequently joined the BJP to contest from the Siaha seat. Notably, Beichhua had resigned from Chief Minister Zoramthanga-led Ministry in December of the previous year and was subsequently expelled by the MNF.
Sailo’s inclusion in the BJP was celebrated in the presence of prominent party figures, including Deputy Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly, Dr Numal Momin MD, BJP National Secretary Rituraj Sinha, BJP National Spokesperson Mmhonlumo Kikon, and others.
”Former Speaker Pu Rina Sailo’s entry into the @BJP4Mizoram is nothing short of a political tsunami in Mizoram! Let the games begin!” tweeted BJP National Spokesperson Mmhonlumo Kikon.
Rahul Gandhi to visit Mizoram
Meanwhile, the Congress Central Election Committee (CEC) convened a meeting on Thursday to discuss candidates for the forthcoming Mizoram and Chhattisgarh Assembly elections.
The CEC meeting was chaired by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and aimed to finalize candidates for the 40-member Mizoram Assembly and the 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly. The elections in Mizoram are set for 7 November, while the Chhattisgarh Assembly will hold elections in two phases on 7 and 17 November.
The CEC meeting brought together prominent party leaders, including CPP Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former party chief Rahul Gandhi, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Ambika Soni, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, his deputy TS Singh Deo, Chhattisgarh Congress Chief Deepak Baij, Chhattisgarh in-charge Kumari Selja, and many others.
Mizoram was also represented at the meeting, with party in-charge Bhaktacharan Das and Mizoram State Congress President Lalsawta in attendance.
Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi is set to embark on a five-day tour of Mizoram and Telangana in preparation for the crucial assembly elections, IANS reported. Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Mizoram is scheduled for 15 and 16 October. According to reports, Rahu Gandhi will attend the party’s Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting on 17 October before departing for Telangana in the evening.