New Delhi: Mizoram’s Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC), which had emerged as a symbol of the region’s ever-shifting political loyalties after the BJP joined hands with the Congress to govern it in May 2018, has been placed under Governor’s Rule for the second time in just over three years, due to “constant political instability”.
The executive committee of the council, formed in 1972 under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution for the welfare of the ethnic Chakma people, has been in a state of flux, with the Chief Executive Member (CEM), the head of the body, changing seven times since May 2018.
The latest round of instability hit the council on 16 June, when a no-confidence motion was passed against CEM Molin Kumar Chakma, who had formed the first BJP-led executive committee of the CADC, which is made up of 20 elected and four nominated members, in February this year.
The motion was passed as 12 BJP members of the council quit the party, switching over to the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), which secured the support of 16 members—five more than the halfway mark of 11.
Lakkhan Chakma of the ZPM staked claim to the post of the CEM. However, despite having the required numbers, the ZPM will not be able to govern the council, located in south Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district, as Governor VK Singh took over. The ZPM had dislodged the Mizo National Front from power in Mizoram in December 2023.
“Hon’ble Governor is of the firm opinion that the constant political instability is extremely detrimental for the CADC, and is certainly not what is intended by the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India, which envisions the effective administration of the tribal areas for the good of the people,” read the 7 July notification of the Mizoram District Council and Minority Affairs, declaring the Governor’s move.
“And whereas, opinion of the Council of Ministers was obtained and whereas, as provided under Para 16(2) of the Sixth Schedule, the Hon’ble Governor is satisfied that the administration of the CADC cannot be carried on in accordance with provisions of the Sixth Schedule.”
The ZPM hit back at Gen Singh (Retd), with Mizoram Home Minister K. Sapdanga calling the imposition of Governor’s Rule a “breach of democratic principles”. When contacted by ThePrint, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma’s office said that Sapdenga had already spelt out the ZPM’s position on the issue.
Sapdenga told reporters that following a request from the Governor, the council of ministers held a meeting and unanimously disapproved the dissolution of the CADC. On 4 July, it also recommended to the Governor that the ZPM be allowed to form the next executive committee in the council.
“It is unfortunate that the Governor, despite seeking an opinion, made a decision ignoring the views of the council of ministers. Though we are fully aware of the governor’s discretionary power over the ADC, we see his action as a breach of democratic principles,” Sapdenga said.
According to the Sixth Schedule, “if at any time the Governor is satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the administration of an autonomous district or region cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Schedule, he may, by public notification, assume to himself all or any of the functions or powers vested in or exercisable by the District Council”.
The last time CADC was placed under Governor’s Rule was in December 2022. The “constant change of administration due to political maneuvering is extremely damaging for the welfare of the CADC and its people, and is certainly not what is intended by the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which envisions the effective administration of the tribal areas”, read the notification then.
The previous four years had been politically tumultuous for the CADC. The BJP-Congress alliance, formed in 2018, had lasted for about five months, collapsing a month before the assembly elections in the state in November 2018. Following that, the council went on to be led by four more CEM’s.
The CADC is among the 10 autonomous district councils spread across Sixth Schedule areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura. In Mizoram, apart from one for the Chakmas, there are two councils for the Lai and Mara ethnic tribes.
(Edited by Mannat Chugh)
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