Addressing a press conference, state Congress spokesperson Lalremruata Renthlei claimed that a "secret agreement" was struck between the ZPM and the BJP, and ZPM leader Lalduhoma's recent trips to Guwahati are a testament to it. "The BJP's strategy of aligning with regional parties in states where they lack the chance to win independently is nothing new. Currently, both the ZPM and MNF are vying to be the closer ally of the BJP," claimed Renthlei, who is the state Congress's Media Cell chairman.