1. Former Mizoram CM Zoramthanga reveals plans for retirement from active politics.
2. Discussion with the party’s senior VP leads to a joint decision for the MNF to continue without their direct participation.
3. Zoramthanga emphasizes the need for a “new arrangement,” signalling a transition in party leadership.
Aizawl, Jan 16: Former Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga announced on Monday his intention to retire from active politics due to his age.
Zoramthanga, who is also the president of the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF), disclosed that he had discussed this decision with the party’s senior vice president Tawnluia, and they have jointly decided that the party should move forward without their direct involvement.
Expressing their consensus on the matter, Zoramthanga stated, “We have discussed the matter and we agreed that the party should continue without our presence as both of us have become 80. We have also informed our party leaders about our retirement.”
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He shared this decision during an event where the MNF office in Aizawl was inaugurated, adding that party leaders would soon unveil a “new arrangement.”
Highlighting the expiry of the current term of the MNF office-bearers, Zoramthanga and Tawnluia have requested the leadership not to assign them new responsibilities.
Zoramthanga had tendered his resignation as the MNF president on December 5 following the party’s defeat in the assembly polls held on November 7. However, his resignation was rejected by the party’s leadership.
The MNF, which had been in power, lost the elections to the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), securing 10 seats out of the 40 in the state assembly.
Zoramthanga has held the position of MNF president since 1990, succeeding Laldenga after his death.
Laldenga was the founder of the party and a key figure in the secessionist movement from 1966 to 1986.
Zoramthanga’s political journey began in 1966 when he joined the underground movement led by the MNF. By 1969, he became the secretary to the president when the group relocated its base to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
In 1979, Zoramthanga was appointed vice president of the MNF. Over the years, he successfully contested assembly polls in 1987, 1989, 1993, 1998, 2003, and 2018, serving as the chief minister for three terms from 1998 to 2008 and from 2018 to 2023.
