Aizawl: In a minor reshuffle of the Mizoram council of ministers’ portfolios, Chief Minister Lalduhoma has taken over the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DP&AR) from Home Minister K Sapdanga. The change was announced through a notification issued by the state political and cabinet department on Thursday night.
Background of the Reshuffle
Sapdanga, the senior-most cabinet minister, was previously stripped of his disaster management and rehabilitation portfolio, which was given to Minister of State for Rural Development Lalnilawma. He now retains only the home and urban development and poverty alleviation portfolios. According to local political observers, though the portfolio reshuffle is minor and involves only one department, it might snowball into a larger political crisis within the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM).
ZPM’s Formation and Internal Dynamics
Formed in 2017 as an alternative to the Congress and Mizo National Front (MNF), ZPM was created with the initiatives of Zoram Exodus Movement (ZEM) by bringing together Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP), Mizoram People’s Conference (MPC), and several smaller pressure groups. The portfolio reshuffle came close on the heels of the DP&AR and its minister Sapdanga’s objection to re-employ R Lalrodingi, who retired on superannuation from additional director of the commerce and industries department as director of tourism, even as the suggestion originated from the CM’s office.
Power Tussle and Government Stability
The latest development, according to the political observers, has exposed the power tussle within ZPM, threatening the stability of the government. Social media speculation suggests that Chief Minister Lalduhoma, frustrated with lack of receipt of funds for development works, has been in favour of formally joining the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) by inducting one of the two BJP legislators in the government. Meanwhile, the opposite camp within the ZPM is against such a move, viewing it as suicidal for the party.
Conclusion
While the reshuffle may appear minor, it signals deeper fissures within the ruling coalition. The coming days will reveal whether the ZPM can maintain unity or face further instability.
