MPC leaders to quit party, join ZPM: Lalthansanga

Several leaders of the Mizoram People's Conference (MPC), including its vice president Lalthansanga, have decided to quit the party and join the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM), a senior MPC leader claimed on Monday.

Differences arose within the MPC after its president Lalhmangaiha Sailo recently severed ties with the ZPM, a coalition of small parties, going against the demands of a section of MPC leaders to merge the party with the ZPM.

"Three MPC legislators - former deputy Speaker Vanlalhlana, V L Zaithanzama and C Lalsawivunga - have already tendered their resignations as ex-officio executive members of the party. We will submit our resignations to Lalhmangaiha Sailo on Monday," Lalthansanga said.

He said that party workers from the districts will soon follow suit.

The ZPM, which won eight seats in the 40-member House in the assembly polls in 2018, got registered with the Election Commission as a single political party on July 8, sparking off debates within the MPC over merging the party with the ZPM.

MPC president Lalhmangaiha Sailo was opposed to the merger as the party was formed by his father and former chief minister Brig. Thenphunga Sailo.

Since its formation in 1975, the MPC ruled the state between 1979 and 1984 and was the main opposition party till the 2003 assembly elections.