No rift in ZPM, no race for CM’s post, says Sapdanga
Mizoram Home Minister K. Sapdanga dismissed speculation of an internal rift within the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) and denied allegations that he had harboured ambitions of replacing the Chief Minister Lalduhoma, asserting that the party remained united and the government was stable.
Addressing a selected press interaction at his residence, Sapdanga said rumours of factionalism within the ZPM and claims that he was vying for the Chief Minister’s post were “completely false and baseless”.
He said the ZPM government remained focused on fulfilling the five-year mandate given by the people and stressed that there was no power struggle within the party.
Responding to questions over the recent reshuffle in which the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DP&AR) portfolio was taken away from him and assigned to the Chief Minister, Sapdanga said the allocation and distribution of portfolios rested solely with the Chief Minister.
He said he would continue to work wholeheartedly under Lalduhoma’s leadership to ensure the government’s programmes and commitments were implemented successfully.
In an apparent reference to recent remarks by Chief Minister Lalduhoma that RTI replies under the DP&AR had been furnished very quickly, which fuelled speculation following the portfolio reshuffle, Sapdanga said the government’s adoption of the e-Office system had naturally accelerated official processes, including the disposal of RTI applications.
“The important question is not whether replies are given quickly or slowly, but whether the replies are correct,” he said.
He also credited the biometric attendance system with improving punctuality and discipline among government employees.
Sapdanga said officials of the state DP&AR possess a thorough understanding of laws and administrative procedures and had played a crucial role in implementing the ZPM government’s reform agenda, including the abolition of the outdated “Aikal lak” (the practice where a government employee employs a substitute or locum tenens to perform official duties on their behalf, instead of attending work personally) and strengthening punctuality in government offices.
