The ongoing infighting amid the election for leader of the Tibetan "government-in-exile" is an indicator of weakened control by the Dalai Lama over the situation, a senior political adviser said on Sunday.

The Tibetan "government-in-exile" will hold the second round of its elections for a government leader on March 20.

Zhu Weiqun, head of the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said at the sidelines of the annual political consultative session that the election can only show increasing internal rifts.

"It also indicates that the Dalai Lama's ability to control the situation is declining, and the overseas Tibetans are already having their own opinions over the political approaches he is advocating," he said.

In one of the latest signs of infighting within the "government-in-exile", Dicki Chhoyang, head of the "department of information and international relations", resigned from her posts in late February, months before her term ends.

Zhu reiterated that the debate over the "middle-way approach" is in fact focused upon the same purpose: trying to separate China.

"But the future of Tibet will be firmly in our own efforts and our work ... As long as we have a stable situation in Tibet, the infighting within the 'government-in-exile' will continue," he said.

The 80-year-old Dalai Lama is now receiving treatment in the United States for a prostate condition, The Associated Press reported on Feb 21.

Zhu said his committee will pay attention to the so-called "election", but the key to ensuring the stability of the Tibet autonomous region still lies in the development of the region's economy and improving people's livelihoods.

"The improvement of livelihoods in Tibet and the development and prosperity of the region have always been prioritized in China, no matter whether there are separatists or not," he said.