MNF mulls new executive body to govern Chakma Autonomous District Council

The Mizo National Front (MNF), the ruling party of Mizoram, Monday staked claim to form a new executive body to govern the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) by replacing the beleaguered BJP-led administration, officials said. MNF Chakma District Council leader Rashik Mohan Chakma submitted a letter to the state secretary for district council affairs claiming that he has majority in the 20-member CADC. In his letter Chakma named four members of district council belonging to the Congress claiming that they are now supporting his leadership raising the strength of the MNF to 11, the officials said.

In the election to the CADC held on April 20, 2018, the MNF emerged as the largest single party by securing eight seats followed by the Congress which bagged seven seats and the BJP which got five seats. Poll to one seat was stayed by the Gauhati High Court.

Traditional rivals, the BJP and the Congress, joined hands and forged a coalition and staked claim to form the executive committee of the tribal council. However, the BJP headed coalition faced a setback after a few Congress members withdrew support. The CADC is an autonomous council for ethnic Chakma people, formed under the sixth schedule of the Constitution on April 29, 1972. The Council exercises legislative, executive and judicial powers over allotted departments within the territory of CADC.

(With inputs from agencies.)