Aizawl, Dec. 12: The Independent legislator from Mizoram?s Suangpuilawn constituency today retracted his offer to resign, saying he had made up his mind not to succumb to pressure. H. Lalsangzuala claimed to have signed a resignation letter on Tuesday under duress. He made the startling revelation in a communiqu? to the Speaker.
?I would like to inform you of the existence of my resignation letter, which I was compelled to sign under threat on December 9, 2003. As you are well aware that such a letter cannot be accepted, as it was not signed of my own free will, I, therefore, request you that, if such letter is submitted to you, kindly reject it,? he said.
The legislator reportedly promised to resign to pave the way for a ?free and fair bypoll? in Suangpuilawn during a meeting with leaders of the Hmar People?s Convention party and the Central Young Mizo Association.
Lalsangzuala was expected to submit the resignation letter to the Speaker after being sworn in.
The Independent candidate?s victory in Suangpuilawn, where law and order problems affected polling and delayed counting of votes by nearly a week, meant the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF)?s tally of 21 in the 40-member Assembly would remain stagnant.
It is no coincidence that the co-ordination committee of the three main Opposition parties ? the Congress and the Mizoram People?s Conference (MPC)-Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) combine ? last night withdrew its demand for Lalsangzuala?s resignation. It said he should not resign until an inquiry was conducted into the election in Suangpuilawn and the report was made public.
Health minister and MNF treasurer R. Tlanghminga, however, said the ruling party?s stand would remain unchanged. ?The three Opposition parties and we agreed last week that the MLA from Suangpuilawn constituency should resign. If the Opposition parties withdraw their demand, we will not object because that is their prerogative. We still abide by the decision that the person elected from Suangpuilawn, irrespective of his party or his standing, should submit his resignation.?
The all-party meeting was held on December 1, on the eve of counting of votes.
A member of the Central Young Mizo Association said his organisation would ensure that Lalsangzuala did not go back on his promise. The youth leader declined to comment on the legislator?s allegation, but admitted there was disagreement within his organisation on making him resign.
?We are not in total agreement that the organisation should be involved in this matter and whether we are the right people to demand a resignation from the MLA,? he said.