CADC chief to be sworn-in tomorrow

BJP leader Shanti Jiban Chakma would be sworn-in as chief executive member (CEM) of the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) in Mizoram tomorrow, official sources today said.

The CEM is the administrative head of the 20-member CADC, formed under the sixth schedule of the Constitution in 1972.

Shanti Jiban Chakma will be sworn-in by Deputy Commissioner of southernmost Mizoram's Lawngtlai district. N Chakhai, the sources said.

Mizoram Governor Lt Gen Nirbhay Sharma yesterday invited the United Legislature Party (ULP) to form the executive committee that will rule the CADC, an autonomous council for ethnic Chakma people living in South-Western Mizoram bordering Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Traditional rivals the BJP and the Congress floated the ULP after the April 20 election to the CADC had thrown a fractured mandate. While the Mizo National Front (MNF) bagged 8 seats, the Congress won 6 and the BJP 5. Election to one seat was stayed by the Gauhati High Court.

All the 19 elected members of the CADC would also take oath on Friday, the last date fixed by the State Election Commission for taking oaths by the newly-elected members, the sources said.

State Sports Minister Zodintluanga of the Congress had said on April 25 that a post-poll alliance, the ULP, was forged after the two parties' local leaders reached an agreement, and this would not have any bearing in Delhi or in the coming Assembly election in the north eastern state.

BJP sources had, at that time, said the party may take action against its elected CADC members for forging the alliance with the Congress.

Later, the leadership agreed to the tie-up after the six Congress members decided to join the ULP as individual members leaving their party identity behind.

The MNF had also been optimistic of forming a coalition with the BJP, but rejected the BJP's demand of electing its party leader to occupy the top post of the CADC.