Mizoram is heading for another bypoll

Aizawl, May 15 (UNI) After by-elections in two assembly constituencies last December, Mizoram is heading for another such poll in the Chawngte seat following resignation of ruling party MLA RM Chakma.

Mr Chakma quit the seat following the office-of-profit controversy.

He, however, decided not to contest the poll and preferred to remain as the chief executive member in the Chakma ADC.

The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) and the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), meanwhile, geared up for the Chawngte byelection, which was yet to be announced.

The removal of Article four of the Mizoram Legislature Members (Removal of Disqualification) Act which permitted MLAs to hold elected post and Mara District Council post at the same time had forced Mr Chakma to tender his resignation to the Mizoram Assembly Speaker on May Nine.

Accepting the resignation, Speaker Lalchamliana informed the Election Commission that the consituency is vacant.

A highly placed Congress source said that Mr Nirupam Chakma would be fielded as party candidate in the bypolls. He became the first Mizoram state MLA from Chawngte consituency, after being elected unopposed in the 1987 assembly elections. He secured the seat until he lost it to MNF candidate RM Chakma in the 2003 polls.

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