Incumbent Assembly Speaker Hiphei on Sunday said he was resigning from his post and quitting the party.
Hiphei, a Congress MLA, who was elected from Palak constituency in Siaha district in 2013, told The Telegraph that he would submit his resignation to deputy Speaker Lalrinawma on Monday. He will submit his resignation from the Congress to state president and chief minister Lal Thanhawla the same day.
Four Congress legislators have resigned since September within a short period.
The first to do so was former home minister R. Lalzirliana, who resigned on September 14, three days after he was showcaused by the party high command over his alleged anti-party activities. He was expelled on September 17 and later joined the rival Mizo National Front (MNF).
On October 3, Congress legislator and party general secretary Lalrinliana Sailo resigned and too joined the MNF.
Two more Congress legislators — B.D. Chakma and Hmingdailova Khiangte — also quit the party.
While Chakma joined the BJP and is contesting from Tuichawng, Khiangte will contest as an Independent from his home turf Tuirial.
Hiphei was initially included as the Congress’s official candidate for Palak constituency but was dropped after six members of the Mara Autonomous District Council opposed his candidature.
The Congress finally named K.T. Rokhaw as its official candidate for Palak.
Hiphei had been reportedly meeting BJP leaders, including party president Amit Shah, home minister Rajnath Singh and Himanta Biswa Sarma in New Delhi and Guwahati.
Sources said Hiphei would join the BJP and will contest from Palak on the party ticket.
The 81-year-old leader, who is also known as the Father of Mara, has been elected as legislator seven times since 1972. In 1972 and 1978, he was elected as an Independent from Tuipang constituency. In 1979, he was elected from the same constituency on a Janata Party ticket and Congress ticket in 1984, 1987 and 1989.
He was elected Rajya Shabha member on a Congress ticket for two terms during 1990–1996 and 1996–2002.
In 2013, he was elected as a legislator from Palak on a Congress ticket and became the Speaker.
