Aizawl, July 17 — Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) leader Kali Kumar Tongchangya was elected unopposed on Thursday as Chairman of the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) in Mizoram, officials said. The declaration came at a special sitting presided over by Deputy Chairman Sundor Muni Chakma after the resignation of former Chairman Lakkhan Chakma necessitated the election.
Tongchangya, a Member of the District Council (MDC) representing the Fultuli constituency, was the only nominee to file papers by the July 15 deadline and was therefore declared elected unopposed, officials added. The election was conducted under the schedule issued for selecting a new Council head following Lakkhan Chakma’s departure.
Leader of the House and Chief Executive Member Nirupam Chakma congratulated Tongchangya, describing him as an experienced legislator with a deep understanding of the Council’s procedures. Deputy Chairman Sundor Muni Chakma had presided over the proceeding that formally confirmed the appointment.
The CADC had been under Governor’s Rule for one year from July 7, 2025, to July 7, 2026, after prolonged political instability marked by frequent leadership changes. Tongchangya’s election marks the restoration of locally chosen leadership after that period of direct administration.
The ZPM, which leads the state government in Mizoram, formed a political alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on June 23 and together constituted the Chakma Democratic Alliance Legislature Party, headed by senior BJP leader Nirupam Chakma. That alliance had subsequently staked a claim to form the CADC executive body, a move that preceded Thursday’s election.
Observers say the unopposed selection could help stabilise the Council’s administration and allow local governance to resume following a year under Governor’s Rule.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/north-east/zpm-leader-kali-kumar-tongchangya-elected-unopposed-as-cadc-chairman-1614363
Category: North East
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Publish Date: 2026-07-17 09:46:00
