By IANS,
Aizawl : Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, who lost in both the seats he contested, Monday submitted his resignation owning moral responsibility for the Mizo National Front’s (MNF) election defeat.
The chief minister met Governor Lt Gen (Retd) M.M. Lakhera at about 4 p.m. at the Raj Bhavan and submitted his resignation letter, a Raj Bhavan official told IANS as it became evident that the Congress had gained a majority in the 40-seat assembly, leaving only three seats to the MNF, a former insurgent group.
He said: “The governor asked Zoramthanga to continue in office till alternative arrangements were made.
“The governor would call the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) after the party formally elected its leader and staked its claim to form the next government,” the official said on condition of anonymity.
“Newly elected members of the Congress would meet in Aizawl Wednesday and after that the party would meet the governor to stake claim to form the government,” former chief minister and state Congress chief Lal Thanhawla told IANS.
The MNF suffered a jolt when two-time chief minister and party supremo Zoramthanga was humbled by Congress opponents T.T. Zothansanga, a first timer, in the prestigious Champhai north seat and by Jh Rothuama (also Congress nominee) in the Champhai south constituency.
In the last election in 2003, the MNF had secured 21 seats.