Worked with Indira Gandhi for couple of years...don't know Mr Modi much: ZPM chief Lalduhoma

Lalduhoma, the leader of the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM), has had a storied career that includes a stint as the security officer for former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. 
His journey from an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer to a significant political leader is marked by various milestones.

While replaying a question, of whether his tenure with the former Indian Prime Minister inspired him in any way, the ZPM leader said, "It is quite an interesting journey but at the same time it was full of struggles as I have been struggling for years and years but by the divine blessings of the people of Mizoram I will be able to fulfil my dreams.

While Lalduhoma has extensive experience with figures like Indira Gandhi, he has expressed that he does not have much familiarity with the current Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

On asked to compare Indira Gandhi with PM Modi, Lalduhoma politely acknowledged to skip the question and said that he doesn't know PM Modi much.

"Indira Gandhi is known to me very well...day-in and out as I was with her for a couple of years but I do not know Mr Modi much, so will not comment on the same," the ZPM leader added.

Born on February 22, 1949, Lalduhoma began his career in government service working as Principal Assistant to the Chief Minister of Mizoram from 1972 to 1977. After qualifying for the IPS in 1977, he served in various capacities, including as a squad leader in Goa and later as the security in-charge for Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in New Delhi in 1982. His role during this period earned him recognition and a special promotion to Deputy Commissioner of Police.

The transition from law enforcement to politics came in 1984 when Lalduhoma resigned from his police service to join the Indian National Congress (INC). He played a pivotal role in negotiating peace talks with Mizo National Front insurgent leader Laldenga, which was instrumental in the success of the INC in the 1984 Mizoram Legislative Assembly election. Despite losing his own electoral contest from the Lunglei constituency, Lalduhoma's efforts were acknowledged, and he was appointed as Vice Chairman of the Mizoram State Planning Board.

His political aspirations led him to become the President of the Mizoram INC in 1984. However, after feeling that the party was not acting swiftly enough on peace initiatives, he left the INC in 1986, resulting in his disqualification under the anti-defection law—the first such case for an MP in India.

Lalduhoma then founded the Mizo National Union (MNU), which later merged with the Mizoram People's Conference. In 2018, he emerged as the chief ministerial candidate for the ZPM in the Mizoram Legislative Assembly election. The ZPM, formed as a coalition of six regional parties, aims to address various issues in Mizoram and stands for secularism and the protection of religious minorities in India.

Despite being disqualified again in 2020 for defecting to the ZPM, Lalduhoma won a by-election in 2021, reaffirming his position in the state's politics. As of December 4th, 2023, Lalduhoma's ZPM has achieved a significant victory in the Mizoram Assembly elections, securing control of the state government.

Lalduhoma's journey reflects his commitment to regional issues and his evolution from a protector of a prime minister to a leader advocating for change and governance in Mizoram.