Aizawl: Lalduhoma, a 73-year-old ex-IPS officer who once guarded former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, is on the verge of becoming the Chief Minister of Mizoram. Despite facing disqualification under the anti-defection law, Lalduhomas political trajectory has been marked by resilience and overcoming challenges.ZPM Secures MajorityThe Zoram Peoples Movement (ZPM), registered as a political party in 2019, has secured a majority in the Mizoram assembly, winning 27 out of 40 seats and leading in one, as reported by the Election Commission (EC). Lalduhoma, the chief ministerial face of ZPM, has won the Serchhip seat, defeating MNF candidate J Malsawmzuala Vanchhawng by 2,982 votes.Battling OddsFor over three decades, the chief ministership in Mizoram has oscillated between Lal Thanhawla of the Congress and Zoramthanga of the MNF. Lalduhomas journey began in 1984 when he contested the Mizoram Assembly polls on a Congress ticket but faced defeat. He later won the Lok Sabha polls as a Congress candidate the same year.Defection and DisqualificationLalduhomas association with the Congress ended in 1986 amid accusations of conspiring against then Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla. In 1988, he became the first MP to be disqualified under the anti-defection law. Disqualified again in 2020, he managed to win the by-election to the Serchhip seat in 2021.Party AffiliationsLalduhoma, once associated with the MNF, founded his own party, the Zoram Nationalist Party, and played a pivotal role in the formation of ZPM. In the 2018 Assembly polls, he won two seats, defeating Lal Thanhawla in Serchhip. Lalduhomas political journey includes successful contests as a ZNP candidate in 2003 and 2008.As Lalduhoma stands on the cusp of becoming Mizorams Chief Minister, his story reflects the resilience and adaptability required in the dynamic landscape of Indian politics.
