India News | Mizoram: Congress Names Retired Cop Lalbiakzama as Candidate for LS Polls

Aizawl, Mar 21 (PTI) The Congress on Thursday fielded Lalbiakzama, a retired Mizoram Police Service officer and former state home secretary, as the party's candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in the northeastern state.

Polling for the lone Lok Sabha seat in the state is scheduled on April 19.

Also Read | Body Massager Can’t Be Categorised as Adult Sex Toy and Prohibited for Import, Says Bombay High Court.

State Congress chief Lal Thanzara announced Lalbiakzama's name in the presence of party leaders and journalists at the Congress Bhavan here.

Lal Thanzara said protection and preservation of Mizo culture and religion would be the party's primary focus during the campaign, which is set to commence on March 28.

Also Read | Bengaluru Metro Suicide: College Student Jumps in Front of Moving Train at Attihuppe Station, Dies.

Lalbiakzama (64) asserted his commitment to the welfare of Mizoram's people if elected.

He raised concerns about the current state of the country under the BJP-led NDA rule, suggesting the possibility of a change in leadership at the Centre after the polls, particularly with the opposition's united front against BJP ideologies.

Lalbiakzama's career spans notable service in the Mizoram Police Service, including missions to Bosnia and Kosovo as part of UN deployments.

He later transitioned to the state home department, eventually becoming the first MPS officer to hold the position of home secretary.

Following his retirement in 2020, Lalbiakzama joined the Congress ahead of the Mizoram assembly polls in 2023.

The ruling Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) has nominated entrepreneur Richard Vanlalhmangaiha, while the People's Conference (PC) party has selected Mizo singer and lyricist Rita Malsawmi as its candidate.

The main opposition MNF is expected to announce its candidate soon, with incumbent Lok Sabha member C. Lalrosanga opting not to contest. The BJP is also set to announce its candidate before the March 27 nomination deadline. PTI

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)