Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) leader – Lalduhoma took oath as an MLA of the Mizoram Assembly, on Monday.

The oath of office and secrecy to Lalduhoma was administered by Assembly speaker Lalrinliana Sailo, during a function conducted at the Assembly annex building in Aizawl on Tuesday.

The swearing-in function followed strict COVID-19 protocols.

The function was attended by Home minister Lalchamliana, school education minister Lalchhandama Ralte, Congress legislature party leader Zodintluanga Ralte and some MLAs from Mizo National Front (MNF), Congress, BJP and also three independent MLAs.

According to Lalrinliana Sailo, in the present 40-member Assembly, the ruling MNF has 27 members, Congress- 5, and the BJP and ZPM have one member each besides 6 independent MLAs.

Previously, Lalduhoma was disqualified by the speaker under anti-defection law in November 2020. He won the Serchhip assembly seat in the assembly polls held in November 2018,

Therefore, bypoll to the Serchhip seat was necessitated on April 17, 2021.

The bypoll was contested by at least 6 candidates, including the ruling MNF nominee Vanlalzawma.

Lalduhoma won in the bypoll, defeating his opponent Vanlalzawma by a margin of 3,310 votes. He bagged 8,269 out of the total 16, 595 votes polled.

After the ZPM was formed in 2017 and obtained party registration from the Election Commission of India (ECI) in July, 2019, Lalduhoma became the first legislator of the party.