#MizoramPolls: Congress faces problem in selecting nominees in autonomous areas
The ruling Congress in Mizoram has been facing problems in selecting candidates in autonomous council areas for the 40-member state Assembly elections on November 28. Mizoram CM Lal Thanhawla, who is also Mizoram Pradesh Committee (MPCC) President, had announced names of 36 candidates on Thursday, while the decision of the names within the three autonomous districts has been left to the respective district committees.
Majority members of MADC supporting somebody other than nominated member
Among the district committees, only the Lai Autonomous District Congress Committee has submitted two names. The selection of Congress nominees in the Mara Autonomous District Council (MADC) took a turn with a majority of members of the council supporting another person over Assembly speaker Hiphei (82), who was recommended by the nomination board of the council committee, Congress sources said.
Hiphei supported by only three members of MADC
In a letter submitted to the MPCC chief, the members of district council (MADC) said that 11 council members within Palak Assembly constituency were asked to make recommendations on a candidate and six members supported K Riachho, a retired IAS officer. Also, Hiphei was supported by only three members and two members expressed support to two other persons.
Riachho supporters expressed dismay over Hiphei's nomination
The supporters of Riachho submitted a representation to Thanhawla expressing dismay at the decision of the MADC committee nomination board and asked the latter to ignore its recommendations. "The members of the council and the people of the constituency would not be responsible if Hiphei is the Congress nominee of the MPCC from Palak seat and loses in the polls," the letter said.
MADC chief says its decision should be final
A Congress legislature party meeting held at the official residence of the MADC Chief Executive Member N Zakhai in Siaha yesterday decided that the MADC nomination board's decision should be final and Thanhawla should decide based on its recommendations. A letter sent to Thanhawla said that he shouldn't make any consideration based on external suggestions made by a signature campaign by some people.
Two other names from Chakma-dominated areas yet to be announced
Meanwhile, Thanhawla said that the names of the two candidates to represent Chakma-dominated areas were yet to be announced as the Congress "respected" the appeals made by the civil society. The civil society, under the umbrella of NGO, Coordination Committee, has appealed to all major political parties not to field any candidates belonging to the Chakma community in Tuichawng and West Tuipui seats.
Congress, MNF doubt others will field candidates from Chakma community
Though major parties agreed in principle to abide by the civil society's appeals, the Congress and the MNF expressed doubt that other parties might disobey the NGO's diktat by fielding candidates belonging to the Chakma community at the eleventh hour ensuring victory.
