Post show cause, Mizoram home minister resigns

Differences within the Congress’s Mizoram unit ahead of state elections this year took a turn for the worse on Friday after senior leader and state home minister R Lalzirliana resigned from the Lal Thanhawla cabinet.

The move came two days after the disciplinary committee of the party served a show cause notice to Lalzirliana, who is also the Congress’s state unit vice-president, over reports that he could join a rival party.

“It is true that I have resigned from the cabinet, but I am still a member of the Congress. I would not like to disclose the reasons for my decision,” he said over the phone from Aizawl.

The 69-year-old, who represents the Tawi seat in Aizwal, also held charge of the power and electricity, rural development and excise and narcotics portfolios and was the second most powerful person in the cabinet headed by chief minister Thanhawla.

Mizoram goes to the polls later this year and the move by Lalzirliana could affect the Congress’s prospects in the elections.

“It can be assumed he was unhappy with the government’s failure to turn Saitual division, which falls under his seat, into a new district despite assurances by senior party leaders. He said he has to listen to his people,” said Congress Legislature Party secretary Lalrinmawia Ralte.

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