Mizoram Legislative Assembly Speaker resigns, says will join BJP

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. He said that he will join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Hiphei submitted his resignation to Deputy Speaker R Lalrinawma, who accepted it. 

Read More | Gambhir slams BCCI for letting Azharuddin ring bell at Eden Gardens

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 | AR Rahman on depression: I had suicidal thoughts till 25 years of age

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.