ZPM not to join NDA or INDIA bloc if comes to power in Mizoram: Lalduhoma

ZPM leader Lalduhoma won't join NDA/INDIA if party comes to power. He wants to remain independent and maintain cordial relations with Centre. ZPM formed in 2017, emerged as main opposition party in 2018.

Zoram People's Movement leader and the party's Chief Ministerial candidate Lalduhoma said the ZPM will not join the BJP-led NDA or the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc if it comes to power in Mizoram in the coming Assembly polls.

He said his party will maintain its identity as an independent regional party free from Delhi's control.

"We will not join any group at the national level even if we come to power. We want to maintain our prestige and remain as an independent regional party, which is free from Delhi control," the 73-year-old ZPM leader told PTI.

"We don't want to be under the control of Delhi", he said.

Mr. Lalduhoma, however, said that the ZPM will maintain cordial relations with the Centre.

"We will maintain good relations with the government at the Centre. If it is reasonable, we will support it or oppose it," he told PTI.

The ZPM was formed in 2017 by two political parties and five groups. Capitalising on a non-Congress, non-MNF government slogan, the party emerged as the main opposition party in the State winning eight seats in the last Assembly polls in 2018 thereby relegating Congress to the third position.