Mizoram Chief Minister and Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) leader Lalduhoma has firmly dismissed speculation that his party is set to join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), stating that formal entry into the coalition is neither under consideration nor part of the party’s political agenda.
Addressing a press conference in Aizawl on Tuesday, Lalduhoma clarified that while the ZPM maintains cordial relations with the Union government, it has no plans to formally align itself with the NDA.
“We have not joined the NDA. While some parties have chosen that path, we have decided otherwise. We want to maintain a good relationship with the Centre, but joining the alliance is not on our agenda,” the Chief Minister said.
Lalduhoma revealed that since the ZPM came to power in Mizoram, both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have repeatedly invited the party to become part of the NDA. However, he said the ZPM has preferred to maintain a cooperative working relationship with the Centre without formally joining the coalition.
The Chief Minister also stated that the issue of joining the NDA has never been discussed within the party’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC), indicating that no formal proposal has been considered by the leadership.
Reaffirming the ZPM’s political philosophy, Lalduhoma said the party remains committed to functioning as a regional force with a national outlook, a vision originally advocated by former Mizoram Chief Minister Brigadier T. Sailo. He argued that regional parties historically benefited Mizoram by maintaining constructive relations with whichever party was in power at the Centre.
Commenting on the recent political arrangement between the ZPM and the BJP in the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC), Lalduhoma said the cooperation was driven by practical considerations rather than ideological alignment. He explained that no single party had the numbers required to independently form the executive council, making cooperation necessary.
On Tuesday, the ZPM and BJP formed the Chakma Democratic Alliance Legislature Party to stake claim to power in the CADC. The alliance is headed by BJP leader Nirupam Chakma. The BJP currently holds 10 seats in the council, while the ZPM has nine members.
The CADC has been under Governor’s Rule since January due to prolonged political instability, with the current term of Governor’s Rule scheduled to end in early July.
Lalduhoma maintained that the CADC arrangement should not be viewed as a sign of the ZPM joining the NDA. He reiterated that the party would continue to preserve its independent regional identity while maintaining constructive engagement with the Union government.
