Mizoram MLA apologises in Assembly

In a rare gesture, iMizoram’ Zo People’s Movement legislature party leader Lalduhoma on Wednesday apologised in the Mizoram assembly for making an incorrect statement in the assembly on Tuesday. Lalduhoma who is also the Opposition leader, had accused Sports Minister Robert Romawia Royte of making a statement that he had not.

On Tuesday, Lalduhoma and Royte had engaged in a heated argument and hurled accusations and counter-accusations at each other. Lalduhoma said that the sports minister had made a statement about the financial assistance given to a woman football player during question hour.

Royte maintained that he did not say anything about the footballer when the matter came up on February 10 and challenged Lalduhoma to prove what he said.

Speaker Lalrinliana Sailo intervened by saying that the record of the proceedings would be checked and whoever was wrong would tender an apology in the house.

Sailo further reprimanded the members for talking directly to each other as they have to address him and that making incorrect statement inside the house amounted to violation of decorum of the legislature as well as insulting the members, the assembly and the people of Mizoram.

The speaker, on Wednesday informed the assembly that the sports minister said nothing about the footballer on February 10 after checking the records of the proceedings, and aske Lalduhoma if he will tender an apology.

The ZLP leader apologized for making incorrect statement and asked the forgiveness of the members, the assembly and the people of the state.

This was the first instance when member of the state legislature apologized inside the house in the history of the Mizoram assembly. Maybe this is the first such instance anywhere in India including the Parliament when a legislature has apologised in the house.

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