The PTOA party, or Democratic Party, had been a dominant force in Tongan politics for some years but it slipped into opposition after the death of then Prime Minister Mr Pohiva last September.
The party deputy, Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa, linked with the nobles and gained the premiership, forcing the remains of PTOA out of power.
Kaniva Pacific quoted another party member Tu'i Uata, saying Mateni Tapueluelu, a son-in-law of Mr Pohiva, caused the fracture by his own push for power.
