Mizoram: Opposition ZPM, Cong stage another walkout

Aizawl: Members of opposition Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) and Congress once again staged a walkout on Thursday during the ongoing budget session in protest against Assembly Speaker Lalrinliana Sailo presiding over the session.

They had staged a walkout the previous day as well.

The opposition is alleging that the Speaker has held a share and taken a profit from government contracts.

Opposition members have been demanding that Sailo should vacate the chair for the deputy speaker to preside over the proceedings of the session.

On Thursday, when the Speaker was about to proceed the session, Congress Legislature Party leader Zodintluanga spoke up and said they will walk out from the House as CM Zoramthanga is yet to comply with their request to appoint deputy speaker Lalrinawma to chair the session.

However, later during the meetings of the political affairs committee of both the ZPM and Congress, the legislators decided to be present during the Assembly session from Friday as it is an important platform where opposition members can raise their voices to correct the government.

The opposition MLAs had on Monday written to Zoramthanga, appealing him to drop Sailo from presiding over the proceeding of the Budget Session over the allegations against him.

The opposition members had alleged that the Speaker has held a share and taken Rs 1 crore from a contract for blacktopping of a 13-km road between Khawzawl and Ngaizawl village in Khawzawl district under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).

They also demanded an explanation from the Speaker.

On Wednesday, the ZPM had also filed a complaint with state Lokayukta, asking the anti-corruption watchdog to probe the matter.

However, Sailo denied the allegation and said that he did not take money illegally.

Meanwhile, the ZPM said their legislators will now sit for the Budget Session as they represent the people who elected them, and that assembly session is an important platform.

The party also said that its legislators would take part in the session because it has requested the Lokayukta to probe the graft accusations against the Speaker. 

Manipur 2022: Will earmark Rs 100 cr to eradicate unemployment, says Th Biswajit