By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: Senior Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) leader and Adviser to the Chief Minister, TBC Lalvenchhunga, on Monday dismissed allegations of factionalism within the ruling party, asserting that the government remains united and continues to perform better than its predecessors despite differences of opinion among members.
Speaking at a function held at the party office in Aizawl, Lalvenchhunga said that differing viewpoints were a natural feature of any democratic organisation and should not be misconstrued as signs of division.
“Differences in opinion do exist, which is normal in any democratic setup. However, claims that the ZPM is facing an internal rift are completely unfounded. While we may not be perfect, we are still performing better than previous governments,” he said.
The Aizawl West-I legislator, who is also a member of the party’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC), urged party workers to place the interests of Mizoram and its people above personal ambitions and political considerations.
Emphasising the importance of unity, Lalvenchhunga said the party does not distinguish between senior and junior members and that ZPM’s success is a collective achievement.
“ZPM was built through the efforts of all its members. When the Chief Minister and Ministers earn public trust and respect, it reflects positively on the entire party,” he said.
Calling on party leaders and workers to uphold ethical standards, he stressed that those in positions of responsibility should not be pressured into engaging in wrongdoing.
“We must have the courage to reject what is wrong and guide people towards the right path. No government is perfect, but despite our shortcomings, we continue to perform better than those that governed before us,” he added.
Lalvenchhunga’s remarks come amid renewed political speculation regarding differences between Chief Minister Lalduhoma and Home Minister K. Sapdanga. He acknowledged that certain internal discussions within the party’s Political Affairs Committee had been leaked and misrepresented, fuelling rumours and unnecessary public debate.
“There are people who distort information and would like to see the party weakened. However, ZPM will not break apart. We will continue to strengthen ourselves through reforms and self-improvement,” he said.
The comments follow recent allegations by Leader of the Opposition Lalchhandama Ralte, who claimed that the ruling party was facing a serious internal crisis that could affect its organisational structure. The allegations were earlier rejected by Chief Minister Lalduhoma.
Speculation over internal differences intensified after the state government recently reshuffled ministerial portfolios, transferring the key Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department from K. Sapdanga to Chief Minister Lalduhoma.
Sapdanga, who currently oversees the Home and Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation departments, had also been relieved of the Disaster Management and Rehabilitation portfolio in March last year.
Despite the controversy, ZPM leaders have maintained that the party remains united and focused on governance and development in Mizoram.