Mizoram Assembly Speaker Hiphei resigns, joins BJP in a jolt to ruling Congress

In a jolt to the ruling Congress ahead of the Assembly elections in Mizoram, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Hiphei resigned from his post, the House and the party on Monday and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), reported news agency ANI. Hiphei submitted his resignation to Deputy Speaker R Lalrinawma, who accepted it. 

Read More | Gender equality Vs religious fanaticism, the battle continues unabated

Hiphei, a veteran leader, was elected to the 40-member Assembly from the Palak constituency in 2013. The move comes days after the Congress dropped his name from Palak seat in the list of candidates released for the elections.

Also Read | Odisha: Security forces gun down five Naxals in Malkangiri encounter

A senior BJP leader had on Sunday said that Hiphei would resign from the Congress and join the BJP on November 5. Hiphei, a veteran leader, was elected to the Assembly from the Palak constituency, as reported by the Indian Express. “He (Hiphei) would first tender his resignation as the Speaker and then from the primary membership of the Congress. He will then join our party,” the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader had told PTI on the condition of anonymity.