mizoram-s-ruling-zpm-wins-first-rajya-sabha-seat

Mizoram's ruling Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) has secured its first-ever representation in the Rajya Sabha after party leader K. Laltluangkima won the election to the state's lone seat in the Upper House of Parliament.

 

Laltluangkima polled 26 votes out of the 36 cast, comfortably defeating opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) candidate Zothansangi Hmar, who secured all 10 votes of her party legislators, according to Assembly Secretary and Returning Officer Zothansanga Ralte.

 

Three legislators abstained from voting, including BJP MLAs Dr K. Beichhua and K. Hrahmo, as well as the lone Congress legislator, C. Ngunlianchunga. ZPM legislator W. Chhuanawma could not cast his vote owing to health reasons.

 

The victory marks a significant milestone for the ZPM, which was founded in 2017 and came to power in the state after the 2023 Assembly elections. The result gives the party its maiden presence in the Rajya Sabha and strengthens its political footprint at the national level.

 

Laltluangkima also became the eighth person from Mizoram to be elected to the Rajya Sabha since 1972, when the state was a Union Territory.

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In the 40-member Mizoram Assembly, the ZPM enjoys a comfortable majority with 27 legislators. The MNF has 10 members, while the BJP and Congress hold two and one seats respectively.

 

The seat was previously held by K. Vanlalvena of the MNF, whose term is ending.

 

Born in October 1963, Laltluangkima graduated in Commerce from St. Anthony's College and later pursued Christian Communication Studies in England. He also obtained a Master's degree in Plumbing from an institution in Maryland in the United States.

 

Before joining active politics, he worked for 12 years as manager of the Synod Electronic Communication Department of the Mizoram Presbyterian Church and founded the children's magazine Kristian Naupang.

 

He entered politics in 1997 through the MNF (Nationalist), which later evolved into the Zoram Nationalist Party founded by Lalduhoma. He currently serves as member secretary of the ZPM's Political Affairs Committee and is the party's official spokesperson.