Hiphei elected Speaker of Mizoram Assembly

Aizawl: Veteran Congressman Hiphei was today elected unopposed as the Speaker of the seventh Mizoram Assembly. Governor Vakkom Purushothaman will address the three-day session of the assembly on Tuesday and Deputy Speaker would be elected on Wednesday, assembly sources said.[caption id=“attachment_1289437” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] A voter at a poll station during the Mizoram Assembly Election on 25 November 2013. Image courtesy PIB[/caption] Hiphei (73) was elected from Palak seat in Saiha district defeating President of the Maraland Democratic Party (MDF) P Thawlla in the 40-member state assembly polls on 25 November . Hiphei was the first Deputy Speaker of Mizoram and held the post from 12 May 1972 to 10 May 1977 after Mizo District Council was elevated to a union territory and began to have its own legislature. He was elected Speaker of the Assembly in 1 January 1989 and held the post till 14 July 1990. He was also the lone Rajya Sabha member from the state for two consecutive terms. Addressing the state legislature after his election, Hiphei appealed to the members to maintain dignity and decorum of the Assembly. Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla and Opposition leader Vanlalzawma assured him of full cooperation in maintaining the order of the House. PTI