Aizawl, Nov 5 (UNI) Mizoram Speaker and a Congress veteran Hiphei (uses one name) tendered his resignation here on Monday.
He handed over his resignation to the Deputy Speaker of the state assembly Deputy Speaker R Lalrinawama.
He was accompanied on the occasion by senior BJP leader B D Chakma, also a former Congress leader, among others.
The development marks an end to all speculation and brings an end to intense negotiations for days between BJP leadership and the 81-year old veteran politician belonging to Mara ethnic community.
Mr Hiphei is known as a strongman from Palak assembly segment in Siaha district and will formally join BJP in the afternoon on Monday at Atal Bhavan, party's Mizoram unit headquarter here.
The move is also seen as a big setback to Congress party which had named him from the constituency as its candidate for November 28 elections.
"This is a snub to Rahul Gandhi from a prominent and veteran Christian tribal leader from north east," BJP leader H Lalruata told UNI here.
Mr Hiphei last week air dashed to Guwahati and met Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and later rushed to Delhi to camp there and met senior BJP leaders before arriving at his decision.
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