AIZAWL, Sept 14 - Mizoram Home Minister R Lalzirliana today tendered his resignation from the Cabinet, a few days after he was served a show cause notice by the Congress party�s disciplinary committee over media reports about his joining opposition Mizo National Front (MNF).
Today was the deadline fixed by the disciplinary panel for Lalzirliana, who is the vice president of Mizoram PCC, to declare his allegiance to Congress party. Lalzirliana, did show up at Congress Bhavan at 11 am along with a huge crowd of party workers and journalists.
Instead of giving an explanation as demanded, Lalzirliana announced his decision to resign as Home Minister, sending a shock among the hundreds of party workers attending the much-anticipated meeting.
�I would not give any explanation as demanded by the show cause notice served to me, neither do I find it necessary,� Lalzirliana said.
Lalzirliana, who has been elected from Tawi constituency (formerly Saitual constituency) for four consecutive terms since 1998, cited the Congress Government�s �refusal� to announce Saitual as district as the reason for his resignation.
The veteran Congressman, however, did not resign from his post in the party. �I will not resign from the party unless I�m expelled,� he stated.
Lalzirliana then walked out of Congress Bhavan and headed for the CM�s office where he submitted his resignation letter. The Chief Minister being currently out of station, Lalzirliana�s letter was received by the CM�s personal secretary. It is not sure if his resignation would be accepted by the CM, who will be back in Aizawl tomorrow.
Lalzirliana went to the CMO in his official vehicle and left in his private car, after instructing his official driver to return the car to GAD.
Justifying the demand for Saitual district, which he said has been going on for four decades, Lalzirliana said, �Even Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla had promised the people of Saitual to implement the district, before the 2008 elections.�
Saitual, along with two other sub-divisional towns Hnahthial and Khawzawl, was declared district headquarters in 2008 by the then MNF Government. The Congress Government that came to power in 2008 elections refused to implement the district citing financial constraints.
�I feel guilty for the non-implementation of Saitual district. Owing moral responsibility and in the interest of the people of my constituency, I have decided to resign,� he said.
Asked if he would contest the elections from his tradition constituency, Lalzirliana said, �I am not that old to resign from politics. Yes, I will contest if I�m offered seat by any party,� he said.
