BJP leader Nirupam Chakma sworn in as Chakma council chief

Aizawl, Jul 8 (PTI) BJP leader Nirupam Chakma was sworn in as the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) on Wednesday, marking the end of the Governor's rule in the council after a year. Chakma was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Lawngtlai Deputy Commissioner Donny Lalruatsanga during a swearing-in ceremony held at the council's arts and cultural hall in Kamalanagar, according to officials. The event was attended by District Council and Minority Affairs Minister C Lalsawivunga, BJP Mizoram unit president and MLA Dr K Beichhua, BJP Mizoram state in-charge Debesh Kumar, members of the CADC, and important officials, among others, they said. On June 23, the state's ruling party ZPM and BJP formally forged an alliance and formed the Chakma Democratic Alliance Legislature Party headed by Nirupam Chakma, who staked claim to form an executive body in the CADC. At present, the BJP has 10 members and the ZPM 9 in the 20-member CADC. Chakma was appointed as the CEM by the Governor on July 3. Under the terms of his appointment, he is required to prove his majority on the floor of the council within seven days. A floor test has been scheduled for July 9, officials said. Chakma was previously elected to the state Assembly and served as Minister of State between 1989 and 1998, handling several portfolios. In the last CADC polls in 2023, he was elected from Kamalanagar South constituency. In 2024, he was appointed as a member of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST). Speaking on the occasion, Chakma described his swearing-in as the beginning of a new chapter for the Chakma Council. He pledged to lead an administration based on transparency, accountability and dedication, with priority given to infrastructure development, education, healthcare, agriculture, employment generation and improved public service delivery. He also appealed to elected representatives, government officials, civil society organisations and the public to work together for the development of the council area. Congratulating the new CEM, Lalsawivunga expressed confidence that the Executive Committee under Chakma's leadership would provide stable and people-centric governance. He said that the Mizoram government had strengthened the Autonomous District Councils through increased financial support and administrative reforms. Highlighting the state's commitment, the minister said that the Budget Estimates for the CADC had increased from Rs. 141.81 crore in 2023-24 to over Rs. 169.39 crore in 2026-27. He also said that a Group or Cadre Review Committee has been constituted in 2024 under the Chief Secretary to examine the administrative structure of the Autonomous District Councils and recommend reforms in recruitment, service rules and governance. Lalsawivunga further said the state government had submitted a proposal to the Centre seeking direct funding for the three Autonomous District Councils in the state and the extension of anti-defection law provisions to them. He urged the new Executive Committee to maintain financial discipline and assured continued support from the Mizoram government for the council's development. The CADC was placed under the Governor’s rule for a year between 7 July 2025 and July 7, 2026 due to prolonged political instability caused by frequent change in leadership. PTI CORR RG