The Mizoram Legislative Assembly on Wednesday paid heartfelt homage to two prominent political leaders — former Rajya Sabha MP Ronald Sapa Tlau and sitting MNF MLA Lalrintluanga Sailo — who passed away in recent months, leaving behind legacies of dedicated service to the state.Ronald Sapa Tlau, 71, a senior Congress leader, died of cardiac arrest on April 30, 2025. Lalrintluanga Sailo, 65, an MNF legislator from Dampa constituency, succumbed on July 21, 2025, following complications from pneumonia and scrub typhus. Their passing was described by lawmakers as a “deep loss” to Mizoram’s political fraternity.Chief Minister Lalduhoma led the Assembly in paying tribute, delivering obituary references that recalled the immense contributions of both leaders. He expressed condolences to their families and assured government support to help them in their difficult time.
Opposition MNF leader Lalchhandama Ralte, BJP leader K Beichhua, and Congress MLA C Ngunlianchunga also delivered condolence speeches, praising the dedication and public service of the two departed leaders. Members of the House observed a minute’s silence in their honour. At the time of his death, Ronald Sapa Tlau was serving as vice-president of the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC). He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2014 and represented Mizoram in the Upper House until 2020, where he actively raised issues concerning the state and the Northeast. His colleagues remembered him as a seasoned parliamentarian who combined experience with humility.
Lalrintluanga Sailo, on the other hand, had a different but equally remarkable journey. A veteran of the MNF underground movement, he joined the insurgency at just 16 years old and remained active until the signing of the 1986 Mizo Accord, which brought peace to Mizoram. He entered active politics decades later and was elected as MLA from Dampa in 2018, later winning re-election in 2023 by defeating his Congress rival with a margin of 1,657 votes. Sailo was hailed as a grassroots leader who carried the values of the MNF movement into his legislative work.
