Lal Thanhawla

2022-01-11T11:02:13Z

202.41.10.102:

{{Short description|Indian politician}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|honorific-prefix =
| name = Lal Thanhawla
| image = Lal Thanhawla.jpg
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1938|05|19|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Aizawl]], [[Assam Province]], [[British India]] (now in [[Mizoram]], [[India]])
| residence = Zarkawt, Aizawl, Mizoram
| constituency =
| office = Chief Minister of Mizoram
| order = 3rd
| term_start = 11 December 2008
| term_end = 14 December 2018
| governor = [[Madan Mohan Lakhera]] [[Vakkom Purushothaman]] [[Kamla Beniwal]] [[Vinod Kumar Duggal]] {{small|(Additional Charge)}} [[Krishan Kant Paul]] [[Aziz Qureshi]] [[Keshari Nath Tripathi]] {{small|(Additional Charge)}} [[Nirbhay Sharma]] [[Kummanam Rajasekharan]]
| predecessor = [[Zoramthanga]]
| successor = Zoramthanga
| term_start1 = 24 January 1989
| term_end1 = 3 December 1998
| governor1 = [[Hiteswar Saikia]] [[K. V. Krishna Rao]] {{small|(Additional Charge)}} [[Williamson A. Sangma]] [[Swaraj Kaushal]] [[Paty Ripple Kyndiah]] Dr. A. P. Mukherjee [[A. Padmanabhan]]
| predecessor1 = [[President's rule]]
| successor1 = Zoramthanga
| term_start2 = 5 May 1984
| term_end2 = 20 August 1986
| lieutenant_governor2 = H. S. Dubey
| predecessor2 = [[T. Sailo]]
| successor2 = [[Laldenga]]
| party =[[Indian National Congress]]
| spouse = Lal Riliani
| alma_mater = [[Pachhunga University College]]
| children = Zauva Sailo (L) Lal Thankhumi
| footnotes =
| date =
| year =
}}

'''Lal Thanhawla''' (born 19 May 1938<ref>{{Cite web|last=PTI|date=11 December 2018|title=Lal Thanhawla - the CM who wanted to step aside|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2018/12/11/lal-thanhawla-the-cm-who-wanted-to-step-aside.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-09|website=The Week|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=ToMZ|date=20 May 2018|title=Lal Thanhawla turns 80 - Birthday of Lalthanhawla|url=https://www.timesofmizoram.com/2018/05/lal-thanhawla-turns-80-birthday-of-lalthanhawla.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-09|website=TIMES OF MIZORAM}}</ref> or 1942<ref name="hindu" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|title=Pu Lalthanhawla Biography - About family, political life, awards won, history|url=https://www.elections.in/political-leaders/pu-lalthanhawla.html/|access-date=2021-03-09|website=Elections in India}}</ref>) is an Indian politician and former [[List of chief ministers of Mizoram|Chief Minister of Mizoram]], belonging to the [[Indian National Congress]] party. He holds the record for longest-serving Chief Minister of Mizoram, occupying the position for five terms: 1984 to 1986, 1989 to 1993, 1993 to 1998, 2008 to 2013, and 2013 to 2018.<ref name="hindu">{{cite news|last=Talukdar|first=Sushanta|title=Lal Thanhawla sworn in as Mizoram Chief Minister|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/lal-thanhawla-sworn-in-as-mizoram-chief-minister/article5459013.ece|accessdate=12 January 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|date=14 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=PTI|title=Lal Thanhawla sworn in as Mizoram CM|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/specials/assembly-elections-2013/mizoram-assembly-elections/Lal-Thanhawla-sworn-in-as-Mizoram-CM/articleshow/27349362.cms|accessdate=12 January 2014|newspaper=The Times of India|date=14 December 2013}}</ref> He served as President of the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee from 1973 to 2021.<ref name=":8">{{cite web|last=Agarwala|first=Tora|date=2021-11-15|title=Former Mizoram CM Lal Thanhawla to retire as state Congress chief after five decades|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/mizoram/mizoram-lal-thanhawla-retire-politics-7622768/|url-status=live|access-date=4 December 2021|website=The Indian Express}}</ref> His electoral constituencies were [[Serchhip]] and Hrangturzo from where he successfully contested the [[Mizoram Legislative Assembly]] elections nine times, in 1978, 1979, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1993, 2003, 2008, and 2013.<ref name="nic">{{cite web|title=About Government - Chief Minister: PU LALTHANHAWLA (11.12.2008 - )|url=http://mizoram.nic.in/gov/cm.htm|work=mizoram.nic.in|publisher=National Informatics Centre, Mizoram State Centre|accessdate=12 January 2014}}</ref>

==Early life==

Lal Thanhawla is the son of Hmartawnphunga Sailo and Lalsawmliani Chawngthu. He completed matriculation in 1958. He passed his intermediate examination (higher secondary) in arts in 1961. Thereafter, he studied BA at [[Pachhunga University College]] (then Aijal College), which was then affiliated to [[Gauhati University]]. He graduated in 1964.<ref name=":7" /><ref name="Pu Lal">{{cite web|title=Pu Lal Thanhawla|url=http://cmmizoram.nic.in/cm.html|publisher=Chief Minister's Office|accessdate=12 January 2014}}</ref>

==Career==

Lal Thanhawla started his career as Recorder in the office of Inspector of Schools under the Mizoram District Council, which was in turn under the Government of Assam. After that, he joined the Assam Co-operative Apex Bank as Assistant. In 1966, he joined the underground movement called [[Mizo National Front]] (MNF) as Foreign Secretary. He was captured and imprisoned at [[Silchar]] jail. After his release in 1967 he joined the Indian National Congress (INC) party. He was immediately appointed to the Chief Organiser of the Aizawl District Congress Committee. In 1973 he was elected President of the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), a branch of the Indian National Congress, and continued to win the presidency in every election till date. In 1978 and 1979 he was elected as a Legislator in Union Territory Elections.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":10" />

In 1984, under his leadership, the Congress party swept the Union Territory and Thanhawla became the Chief Minister. In 1986, when the [[Mizoram Peace Accord]] was signed between India and MNF, he stepped down from his office to make way for [[Pu Laldenga|Laldenga]], the leader of MNF, to become the Chief Minister. This was part of the negotiation and settlement of the accord, and he was designated Deputy Chief Minister. Then Mizoram was declared a full state of India. In the first [[Mizoram Legislative Assembly]] election held in 1987, he was elected and after Laldenga was toppled through defections, became the Chief Minister in 1988. He continued the office after being re-elected in the 1989 and 1993 elections. In 1998 he lost the election. He eventually reclaimed in the 2003 elections.<ref name="Pu Lal" /><ref name=":9">{{cite news|last=Attre|first=Neha|title=Mizoram CM candidate profile - Lal Thanhawla|url=http://zeenews.india.com/assembly-elections-2013/mizoram-polls/mizoram-cm-candidate-profile-lal-thanhawla_888639.html|accessdate=13 January 2014|newspaper=ZeeNews|date=9 November 2013}}</ref><ref name="IANS">{{cite news|last=IANS|title=Lal Thanhawla becomes Mizoram CM for record fifth time (Profile)|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/lal-thanhawla-becomes-mizoram-cm-for-record-fifth-time-profile-113120900827_1.html|accessdate=13 January 2014|newspaper=Business Standard|date=9 December 2013}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{cite news|last=PTI|title=Five-time CM Lal Thanhawla, a poster boy of Cong in Mizoram|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-12-14/news/45191283_1_mizo-national-front-serchhip-hrangturzo|accessdate=13 January 2014|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=14 December 2013}}</ref>

In the 2013 Mizoram Assembly Elections, Thanhawla led the ruling Congress party to a victory winning 34 seats in the 40-member legislative assembly, two seats more than in the 2008 election. The major opposition party Mizo National Front (MNF) barely won five seats, while Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) won just one seat. In the 2018 Mizoram Assembly Elections, he lost the election for the second time.<ref name="hindu" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/mizoram-cms-brother-lal-thanzara-resigns-as-mos-over-office-of-profit-allegations/|title=Mizoram CM’s brother Lal Thanzara resigns as MoS over office of profit allegations|date=20 August 2015|publisher=}}</ref>

In November 2021, Thanhawla announced his voluntary retirement from party leadership, saying to [[The Indian Express|''The Indian Express'']]: "Politics is in my blood and I can never shrug it off. But I do think it is high time that I make way for someone younger. I am a grand old man now."<ref name=":8" /> President of INC, Sonia Gandhi formally accepted his resignation on 4 December. The next day, Gandhi appointed him as a member of the [[Congress Working Committee]], and [[Lalsawta]] as the new President of MPCC.<ref>{{Cite web|date=5 December 2021|title=Mizoram Congress chief Lal Thanwala appointed CWC member, relieved from party post|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mizoram-congress-chief-lal-thanwala-appointed-cwc-member-relieved-from-party-post-1884347-2021-12-05|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-09|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-05|title=Congress names Lalsawta chief of its Mizoram unit {{!}} India News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/congress-names-lalsawta-chief-of-its-mizoram-unit/articleshow/88104259.cms|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-09|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

==Other activities==

Lal Thanhawla is actively involved in sports and voluntary services. Among his major contributions are as<ref name=nic/><ref name=IANS/>
* Founder President of Mizoram Football Association
* Founder President of Mizoram Sports Association
* Founder President of Mizoram Hockey Association
* Founder Secretary of Mizoram Boxing Association
* Founder Secretary of Aijal Amateur Athletic Club
* Founder President of Mizoram Olympic Association
* Former President of Indian Olympic Association
* Chairman of North East Olympic Commission
* Founder President of Mizoram Journalists Association
* Founder editor of ''Mizo Aw'' (a daily newspaper) and ''Remna Palai'' (INC party daily news)
* Founder of [[Young Mizo Association]] at Zarkawt
* Founder Secretary of Aizawl Dramatic & Cultural Society

In addition he had served as Secretary of Central Information Forum; Chairman of Literacy Committee, [[National Development Council (India)|National Development Council]] of India; Member of the 9th Finance Commission of India; and Member of the Shillong Club Ltd. and Country Club of India.

==Award and recognition==

* National Citizen Award in 1994
* Mother Teresa Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009
* Lalthanhawla Higher Secondary School, established in 2011 at Serchhip was named in his honor<ref>{{cite news|title=Lal Thanhawla inaugurates BNRGSK Block Hqrs building in Serchhip|url=http://necalling.com/lal-thanhawla-inaugurates-bnrgsk-block-hqrs-building-in-serchhip/|accessdate=13 January 2014|newspaper=NE Calling|date=23 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Hming chawi chhan tlak ka awm lo: Lal Thanhawla|url=http://www.zothlifim.com/chanchinthar/hming-chawi-chhan-tlak-ka-awm-lo-lal-thanhawla/|accessdate=13 January 2014|newspaper=Zothlifim|date=22 June 2013|language=Mizo|trans-title=I am not worthy of the honour: Lal Thanhawla|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113140736/http://www.zothlifim.com/chanchinthar/hming-chawi-chhan-tlak-ka-awm-lo-lal-thanhawla/|archive-date=13 January 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Lifetime Achievement Award from the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) in 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title=Award for Mizoram CM|url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=dec0314/oth051|accessdate=21 September 2016|work=The Assam Tribune|date=3 December 2014}}</ref>
* A sport complex at Pitarte Tlang, Republic Vengthlang, Aizawl, was inaugurated in 2012 as [[Hawla Indoor Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Hawla Indoor Stadium|url=http://sys.mizoram.gov.in/page/hawla-indoor-stadium.html|publisher=Department of Sports & Youth Services, Government of Mizoram|accessdate=8 April 2015}}</ref>
* A public hall at Treasury Square, Aizawl, was inaugurated in 2015 as "Lal Thanhawla Auditorium".<ref>{{cite news|title=Zira'n Lal Thanhawla Auditorium a hawng|url=http://www.vanglaini.org/tualchhung/29739|accessdate=21 September 2016|work=Vanglaini|language=Mizo|trans-title=Zira inaugurates Lal Thanhawla Auditorium |date=13 January 2015}}</ref>
* Doctor of Divinity (''honoris causa'') by [[Serampore College]] in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lal Thanhawla doctorate degree hlan a ni |url=https://www.vanglaini.org/tualchhung/104429 |website=Vanglaini |accessdate=10 March 2020}}</ref>

== Allegations ==

=== Graft case ===
In 1995, officials of the Income Tax Department investigated a case of tax evasion by the Baid group, which operated a travel agency Capital Travels (Capital Tours (India) Pvt. Ltd.), in northeast India. On 13 September, they found a link of swindling government funds between Jodhraj Baid, head of the Baid group operating in Mizoram, Lal Thanhawla, the Chief Minister, and [[Santosh Mohan Dev]], the Union Minister.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bhushan|first=Ranjit|date=6 November 1996|title=Scam In The Hills|url=https://magazine.outlookindia.com/story/scam-in-the-hills/202475|url-access=limited|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-24|website=Outlookindia}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Staff|date=2006-09-16|title=Mizoram Congress president chargesheeted|url=https://www.oneindia.com/2006/09/16/mizoram-congress-president-chargesheeted-1158408242.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-24|website=www.oneindia.com|language=en}}</ref> Based on this evidence, two social workers, [[Zairema]] and Bualhranga filed a public interest litigation to the [[Supreme Court of India]] in 1996.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=28 February 2010|title=Mizoram CM gets clean chit in Graft Case|url=https://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/India/20100228/1454790.html|url-status=live|access-date=24 February 2021|website=webindia123}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2009-09-24|title=Mizoram Chief Minister appears in court graft case|url=https://zeenews.india.com/news/north-east/mizoram-chief-minister-appears-in-court-graft-case_566110.html|access-date=2021-02-25|website=Zee News|language=en}}</ref> The case file accused Thanhawla with Baid and Pushpa Sharma, an accountant of Baid, of corruption arising from disproportionate income and assets. Investigation was carried out by the anti-corruption wing of the Mizoram police from 1998,<ref name=":0" /> and P. Singthanga, Special Judge of the Prevention of Corruption Act, was appointed as the prosecutor.<ref name=":2" /> On 25 April 2003, a chargesheet was submitted by John Neihlaia, Commandant of the First Battalion of the Mizoram Armed Police, upon which the court ordered for an arrest. But Thanhawla had already obtained anticipatory bail in the previous December, so evaded jail. Baid and Sharma were detained in jail for a day until they got the bail. The first trial held in August 2003 found evidence of corruption.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2003-08-06|title=Corruption case against ex Mizoram CM in court today|url=https://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/corruption-case-against-ex-mizoram-cm-in-court-today_114978.html|access-date=2021-02-25|website=Zee News|language=en}}</ref>

In June 2006, Jodhraj Baid submitted a petition to [[Gauhati High Court]] on the incompetency of Singthanga, and subsequently to the Supreme Court, both of which dismissed the petitions.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=16 September 2006|title=Mizoram Cong chief chargesheeted|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060917/nation.htm#5|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-25|website=The Tribune}}</ref> Thanhawla appeared before Singthanga in September and was again charge-sheeted.<ref name=":0" /> After several court hearings, T. Saikunga, special judge of a District and Sessions Court, dissolved Thanhawla's case on 26 February 2010 on the grounds that "there was no clear evidence" of money laundering.<ref name=":1" />

=== Declaration case ===
When Lal Thanhawla filed candidature for the 2013 Mizoram Legislative Assembly from two constituencies, Serchhip and Champhai South, in which he failed to declare an immovable property.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Kalita|first=Prabin|last2=|last3=|first3=|date=12 November 2018|title=Mizoram CM candidates only ones with pending criminal cases {{!}} India News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/mizoram-cm-candidates-only-ones-with-pending-criminal-cases/articleshow/66578502.cms|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-25|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> As his Chief Minister term was closing in 2018, his nomination papers were re-examined by Lalhriatrenga Chhangte, Deputy Controller of Mines at Indian Bureau of Mines in Kolkata, who knew that Thanhawla owns a plot of land in Kolkata, which did not appear in the property declaration.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|last=Khojol|first=Henry L.|date=28 September 2018|title=Graft slur on Mizoram CM|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/graft-slur-on-mizoram-cm/cid/1670482|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-25|website=The Telegraph}}</ref> By then Thanhawla had been constructing a building in that land. Chhangte submitted corruption charges of Thanhawla under Section 125 A of the [[Representation of the People Act, 1951]], on 17 January 2018 to the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Serchhip Disctrict.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|last2=|last3=|first3=|date=20 January 2018|title=Lal Thanhawla: Case against Mizoram CM for undeclared asset|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/case-against-mizoram-cm-for-undeclared-asset/articleshow/62577359.cms|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-25|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> The accusation also included inconsistent date of birth declared by Thanhawla in the election papers.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|last=T. N. T. Bureau|first=|date=26 May 2018|title=Mizoram: Court dismisses CM’s age-fudge case|url=https://www.thenortheasttoday.com/features/mizoram-court-dismisses-cms-age-fudge-case|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-25|website=The Northeast Today|language=en}}</ref> Thanhawla made excuses and did not appear before the court in the first two summons in March and April 2018,<ref>{{Cite news|date=27 April 2018|title=Mizoram CM false affidavit case deferred again|work=Unites News of India|url=http://www.uniindia.com/mizoram-cm-false-affidavit-case-deferred-again/states/news/1212750.html|url-status=live}}</ref> as his counsel Remsanga Nghaka reported "personal problems."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Khojol|first=Henry L.|date=28 April 2018|title=Lal Thanhawla case deferred|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/lal-thanhawla-case-deferred/cid/1447484|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-25|website=The Telegraph}}</ref> Chhangte also filed a case to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Mizoram Police on 20 May 2018. The Vigilance Department, which was under Thanhawla, failed to issue permission for investigation.<ref name=":4" />

On his first appearance before the court on 26 May, the Chief Judicial Magistrate Lalngaihmawia Zote acquitted Thanhawla of the age issue as the period of verification for election had lapsed.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Khojol|first=Henry L.|date=26 May 2018|title=Age-fudge charge on Mizoram CM rejected|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/age-fudge-charge-on-mizoram-cm-rejected/cid/1449944|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-25|website=The Telegraph}}</ref> On the case of land ownership, he claimed that it was allotted to him by the Bengal government as a gift when the Kolkota [[New Town, Kolkata|New Town]] was expanded in 2011, and that ownership deeds were still officially uncertain in 2013 due to legal issues in that area.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|last=Saprinsanga|first=Adam|date=2019-10-07|title=Mizoram Congress chief Lal Thanhawla acquitted in election affidavit case|url=https://theprint.in/judiciary/mizoram-congress-lal-thanhawla-acquitted-election-affidavit-case/302313/|access-date=2021-02-25|website=ThePrint|language=en-US}}</ref> He then evaded several court summons under various excuses.<ref name=":4" /> The next year on 3 October 2019, he appeared before the court which gave a him a benefit of doubt for the ownership procedures and dismissed the case on account of lack of "evidence of ''[[mens rea]]''." The court however declared that he was the legal owner of the land.<ref name=":6" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[T. Sailo]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Chief Ministers of Mizoram|Chief Minister of Mizoram]]|years=5 May 1984 – 20 August 1986}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Laldenga]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[President's rule]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Chief Ministers of Mizoram|Chief Minister of Mizoram]]|years=24 January 1989 – 3 December 1998}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Zoramthanga]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Zoramthanga]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Chief Ministers of Mizoram|Chief Minister of Mizoram]]|years=11 December 2008 – 14 December 2018}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Zoramthanga]]}}
|-
{{s-end}}

==Further reading==

* {{cite book| author = David M. Thangliana| title = Lal Thanhawla| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=fxVwkQEACAAJ&pg=PA190| year = 2012| publisher = Lalrinliana| page = 190 }}

==External links==
* [http://mizoram.nic.in/gov/mla/mla30.htm Biodata of Shri Lal Thanhawla]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20181218193504/http://www.emizoram.com/news/?p=2442%2F Lalthanhawla Profile from E-Mizoram]

{{Chief Ministers of Mizoram}}
{{Current Indian Chief Ministers}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thanhawla, Lal}}
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Mizoram]]
[[Category:1942 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Mizo people]]
[[Category:Chief Ministers of Mizoram]]
[[Category:Gauhati University alumni]]
[[Category:People from Aizawl district]]
[[Category:People from Serchhip]]
[[Category:Chief ministers from Indian National Congress]]
[[Category:Mizoram MLAs 2008–2013]]
[[Category:Mizoram MLAs 1993–1998]]
[[Category:Mizoram MLAs 2003–2008]]

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Lal Thanhawla