By NE NOW NEWS
Aizawl: Newly elected Rajya Sabha member from Mizoram, K. Laltluangkima, on Friday said that he would extend support to the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre on issues related to the development of Mizoram and the welfare of its people.
Laltluangkima belongs to the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), a nine-year-old regional party formed in the state, which is aligned with neither the NDA nor the INDIA bloc.
Speaking to reporters, the ZPM leader said that he, along with Richard Vanlalhmangaiha, the lone Lok Sabha member from Mizoram, who also belongs to the ZPM, will remain neutral in Parliament.
“We will remain neutral members in Parliament. However, our support to the Central Government will be issue-based,” the 62-year-old leader said.
Vowing to work for the development of the state and the welfare of its people, Laltluangkima said he would prioritise securing the Centre’s support to ensure the successful implementation of the state government’s flagship schemes.
The ruling ZPM held a function on Friday to commemorate Laltluangkima’s election to the Rajya Sabha.
Speaking on the occasion, the newly elected MP described the recent contest as one of the most challenging political battles he had experienced.
Drawing a sharp contrast with the last Rajya Sabha poll, he said that the recent election was highly exhausting as they faced immense challenges, criticism, and interference.
“This recent Rajya Sabha election was highly exhausting as we faced immense challenges and interference. During the previous Rajya Sabha poll, when the ZPM was in the opposition, the candidate of the then ruling party was allowed to contest smoothly without such interference. However, the tougher the goal, the sweeter the taste of victory,” he said.
Laltluangkima won the Rajya Sabha election held on Thursday, securing 26 votes out of the 36 votes polled, while his opponent, Zothansangi Hmar of the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF), received all 10 votes cast by her party’s legislators.
The BJP and Congress, which have two and one legislators respectively, did not contest the election, and their legislators also did not participate in the voting.
ZPM legislator from the Tuichang constituency, W. Chhuanawma, was also unable to cast his vote due to health issues.
The victory marked a significant political milestone for the ZPM, which was founded in 2017.
Laltluangkima became the party’s first Rajya Sabha member and the eighth person from Mizoram to be elected to the Upper House since 1972, when Mizoram attained Union Territory status.
Historically, the Congress has won the Rajya Sabha seat six times, with former MP Hiphei serving two consecutive terms between 1990 and 2002, while the MNF won the seat three times, with Lalhmingliana serving two consecutive terms from 2002 to 2014.