AIZAWL, June 19: Newly elected Rajya Sabha member from Mizoram, K. Laltluangkima, on Friday said he would extend support to the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre on issues related to the development of the state and the welfare of its people.
Laltluangkima belongs to the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), a regional party founded in 2017 that is aligned with neither the NDA nor the opposition INDIA bloc.
Speaking to reporters here, the ZPM leader said he and the party’s lone Lok Sabha member, Richard Vanlalhmangaiha, would remain neutral in Parliament.
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“We will remain as neutral members in Parliament. However, our support to the central government will be issue-based,” the 62-year-old leader said.
Vowing that he would work for the development of the state and welfare of its people, Laltluangkima said he would give priority to secure the Centre’s support to ensure that the state government’s flagship schemes are successfully implemented.
The ZPM held a function on Friday to commemorate Laltluangkima’s election to the Upper House.
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 to 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 RS poll, when 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 poll held on Thursday by securing 26 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 poll, and their legislators also did not participate in the voting.
ZPM legislator from Tuichang seat W. Chhuanawma also could not cast his vote due to health issues. (PTI)
