Colleague rules out district HQs in two ministers homes

John Siamkunga,a secretary in the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee,is widely regarded as Chief Minister Lal Thanhawlas right-hand man.

Mizorams Home Minister R Lalzirliana and Health Minister Lalrinliana Sailo have been caught in a last-minute political storm after their colleague and sitting MLA John Siamkunga reportedly said in a speech on Friday that Hnahthial,the biggest town in South Tuipui constituency where he is contesting from,will be made the headquarters of a new district while the main towns in the two ministers constituencies would not be if the Congress returns to power.

John Siamkunga,a secretary in the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee,is widely regarded as Chief Minister Lal Thanhawlas right-hand man,on whom the state Congress chief bestowed the South Tuipui constituency after he won it along with Serchhip in the 2008 assembly elections.

Demands to formally make Hnahthial,Saitual the main town in R Lalzirlianas Tawi constituency and Khawzawl the main town in Lalrinliana Sailos Tuichang constituency headquarters of new districts have gained much momentum since the middle of this year as polls approached,particularly because the Mizo National Front government had,just before the end of its term in 2008,declared them as such.

The declaration,while official,has not been followed up by the Congress government and no administrative offices have been set up at these places.

Siamkunga reportedly said,If the MNF had declared only Hnahthial a district and not Saitual and Khawzawl,we would have already granted Hnahthial the status of district. Grants are in fact coming from the Centre now,and if we return to power we will grant Hnahthial district status at the earliest although maybe not Saitual and Khawzawl.

CDs of John Siamkungas speech at an MPF organised joint platform on Friday evening were quickly disseminated this weekend by those demanding districts for Khawzawl and Saitual,where it is expected to be a major issue.

While Home Minister R Lalzirliana is known to be independent even among his Cabinet colleagues,Lalrinliana Sailo has been dogged by many controversies in the past few years,including the oppositions charge that he is involved in illegal drug trafficking.