Aizawl: K Laltluangkima, also known as Laltluangkima Khiangte, of the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), has been elected to Mizoram’s lone Rajya Sabha seat in Thursday’s polling.Returning officer Zothansanga Ralte, who is also secretary of the state legislative assembly, announced the result after receiving approval from the Election Commission of India.The polling took place from 9am to 4pm, with a voter turnout of 90 per cent. Out of the 40 assembly members, 36 cast their votes. One ZPM legislator, W Chhuanawma, did not participate due to health issues, as he has been bed-ridden for months. The remaining two BJP legislators and the sole Congress legislator abstained from voting.ZPM holds 27 seats in the assembly, while the main opposition Mizo National Front (MNF), which nominated Zothansangi Hmar, has 10 MLAs. According to sources, Laltluangkima (63) received 26 votes, and Hmar secured 10, with no cross-voting despite speculation on social media.After the announcement, Laltluangkima told the media that he would represent Mizoram’s people in Parliament and advocate for issues raised by the state govt. He will succeed K Vanlalvena of MNF, whose term ends on July 18.Mizoram has had a single Rajya Sabha seat since 1972, when it became a Union Territory after being part of Assam. To date, the state has elected seven members to the Rajya Sabha, including Hiphei of Congress and Lalhming Liana of MNF, who served two consecutive terms.ZPM has criticized BJP and Congress legislators for abstaining from the vote, calling it an insult to democracy, the people of Mizoram, and the Indian Constitution.“The very legislators who have been canvassing for votes and used to appeal to the people to exercise their franchise during elections in order to be law-abiding citizens abstained from casting their votes. This is a serious case of not being good citizens by the elected representatives,” a press statement issued by ZPM said.
