Aizawl, January 19: Sharp political criticism was levelled against the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) during a meeting of the Mizo Hnam Run held here on Monday, with senior leaders of the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) accusing the government of failing to live up to its promises and misleading the public.
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| R. Lalzirliana |
Addressing the gathering, R. Lalzirliana, Political Affairs Committee member of the MNF General Headquarters, alleged that ZPM’s widely publicised claims of fulfilling its pre-poll promises amounted to misleading both God and the people. He questioned the stability of the ruling party, noting that despite having several church leaders and prominent figures within its ranks, ZPM lacked firmness in governance.
Lalzirliana further said that the “new system” repeatedly spoken of by ZPM leaders has not translated into visible change on the ground. He remarked that the difference promised by the ruling party remains difficult to identify in practice. Referring to the Chief Minister’s special development package, he said that if the benefits were meant only for ZPM supporters, it should be renamed as the “Lalduhoma Special Package,” in a pointed remark aimed at Lalduhoma.
Former Power & Electricity Minister Zira also spoke at the meeting, asserting that several projects highlighted by the ZPM government were, in fact, initiated during the previous MNF regime. He cited the Thenzawl Solar Power Plant, Sumsuih Solar Project, and ongoing preparatory works for the Tuirini power project, stating that these initiatives were conceived and advanced under MNF planning and vision.
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On the controversial Tuirial Hydel Project, Zira said criticism levelled against the former MNF government and engineers stemmed from inadequate understanding of technical issues. He maintained that corrective steps could not be taken earlier due to constraints at the time, countering allegations of negligence.
The remarks at the Mizo Hnam Run meeting underscored the intensifying political exchanges between the MNF and the ruling ZPM, as both sides continue to trade charges over development, governance, and the ownership of major infrastructure initiatives in Mizoram.
