Aizawl, June 18 (IANS) Ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) candidate Khiangte Laltluangkima on Thursday won the lone Rajya Sabha seat from Mizoram, defeating opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) nominee Zothansangi Hmar by a margin of 16 votes.

With Laltluangkima’s victory, the ZPM has secured representation in the Rajya Sabha from Mizoram for the first time.

Laltluangkima, who is the spokesperson of the ZPM, secured 26 votes, while Zothansangi Hmar, a writer and lawyer, got all 10 votes cast by her party’s legislators.

Returning Officer for the Rajya Sabha election, Zothansanga Ralte, who is also the Commissioner and Secretary of the Mizoram Legislative Assembly, announced the result after the vote count.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress abstained from voting in the election, which began at 9 a.m. at the Mizoram Assembly complex and concluded at 11 a.m., although polling had originally been scheduled to continue until 4 p.m.

According to an official, 26 of the 27 ZPM MLAs, including Chief Minister Lalduhoma, and all 10 MNF legislators exercised their franchise. ZPM legislator from Tuichang Assembly constituency, W. Chhuanawma, could not participate in the poll due to health issues, the official said.

After casting his vote, Chief Minister Lalduhoma dismissed the opposition’s allegation that there was a rift within the ruling ZPM that could trigger cross-voting during the election to the lone Rajya Sabha seat from the state.

He said the allegation regarding internal disputes within the ZPM was an opposition campaign tactic aimed at diverting public attention and creating confusion among the people.

He added that the opposition had been making such claims from the very beginning, but the MLAs remained united during the voting, and there was no possibility of cross-voting.

In the 40-member Mizoram Assembly, the ZPM has 27 MLAs, the MNF has 10, while the BJP and the Congress have 2 and 1 member, respectively.

Leader of the Opposition (LoP) and MNF legislator Lalchhandama Ralte had earlier claimed that there was a rift within the ruling ZPM.

Congress MLA C. Ngunlianchunga said he did not cast his vote in accordance with the party high command’s directive. BJP media convener Johny Lalthanpuia also said that the party’s two legislators did not participate in the Rajya Sabha election voting.

The Rajya Sabha election became necessary as the term of outgoing Rajya Sabha member from Mizoram, K. Vanlalvena of the MNF, is set to expire on July 19, 2026.

–IANS

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