Mizoram’s main Opposition party, the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), on Friday sought an apology from chief minister Zoramthanga for his remarks on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.

Zoramthanga, who is also the president of the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), had on Monday said that Mizoram’s lone Lok Sabha member C. Lalrosanga had voted in favour of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Parliament at the behest of the MNF as the Centre fulfilled people’s demand to exempt Mizoram from the ambit of the amended law. He said all parties, NGOs, student organisations and churches had strongly opposed the bill and demanded Mizoram’s exemption from its purview.

“It will be wrong and childish to oppose the legislation even after the Centre fulfilled our demands,” he said.

Zoramthanga’s remarks raked up a controversy with Opposition parties claiming that they did not demand exemption but urged the Centre not to pass the bill.

ZPM secretary general K. Sapdanga said the chief minister was either speaking out of his mind or expressing his dream in claiming that all parties, NGOs and churches had demanded the “exemption.”

“Political parties, NGOs, student organisations and churches never demand exemption but urged the Centre not to pass the bill. The chief minister should apologise to the people for fabricating lies,” Sapdanga said on Friday.

Alleging that some ministers, leaders and workers of the ruling MNF had taken part in the statewide strike organised by the Mizo Zirlai Pawl in support of the North East Students’ Organisation’s protest on December 10, he asked the MNF to make it “clear to people whether it is in favour of or against the CAA.”

Sapdanga blamed the state government for manhandling peaceful protesters on December 13 and said his party would continue to oppose the Act.

The ZPM also asked the Centre to withdraw its decision to table the uniform civil code bill in the next Parliament session next year.