Aizawl: Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) candidate K. Laltluangkima was on Thursday elected as Mizoram's new representative to the Rajya Sabha, becoming the ruling party's first-ever Member of Parliament in the Upper House since the party came to power.
Polling for the Rajya Sabha election was held at the Conference Hall of the Mizoram Legislative Assembly Secretariat (Annexe Building) in accordance with the Election Commission of India (ECI) schedule. Of the 40 members of the Mizoram Legislative Assembly, 36 MLAs cast their votes.
Following approval from the Election Commission, counting of votes began at 5 pm. After the results were transmitted to the ECI by fax and formal clearance was received, Zothansanga Ralte, Commissioner & Secretary of the Mizoram Legislative Assembly and Returning Officer for the election, officially declared K. Laltluangkima elected as Mizoram's Rajya Sabha MP.
According to the Returning Officer, Laltluangkima secured 26 votes, defeating the Mizo National Front's (MNF) candidate Zothansangi Hmar, who received 10 votes. Three legislators abstained from voting, including the state's two BJP MLAs and the lone Congress MLA, while one ZPM legislator could not vote due to health reasons.
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Laltluangkima currently serves as the official spokesperson of the ruling Zoram People's Movement. The party announced him as its Rajya Sabha nominee earlier this month after its leadership unanimously endorsed his candidature. With the ZPM commanding a comfortable majority in the 40-member Assembly, his victory was widely anticipated.
His election marks a significant political milestone for the ZPM, giving the party its first representation in the Rajya Sabha since its formation. He will succeed outgoing Rajya Sabha MP K. Vanlalvena of the Mizo National Front, whose term expires in July.
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