Imphal, April 21: With the newly floated united People's Democratic Party (UPDP) holding its first political convention today the Party's newly elected president SW Tharmi Shimray has emphasised on solving the vexed Naga political issue on a priority basis.

Tharmi was unanimously elected as the UPDP president at the convention held at GM Hall in which several representatives and leaders of hill districts took part.

Tharmi is a member of MDC and had contested election from Ukhrul AC.

The convention also elected eight persons to hold various posts of the party among whom include former Minister Soso Lorho as the working president, PS Rowland as vice president, ex-Minister DP Panmei of Tamenglong district will dispense charge as general secretary, romeo Bungdon nominated as the party's treasurer while social activist Amusana Joute of Churachandpur would assume duty as the women's wing president.

Other members nominated at the meeting are Dr R Shaiza, Ngamkhai Touthang and DR KP Guite with the convention also deciding to entrust Tharmi Shimray to nominate the vice presidents, secretaries, district presidents and other requisite posts.

DP Panmei has also been appointed as chairman of a five member drafting committee to prepare the Party's constitution within a time span of ten days.

Temporary office of the UPDP would be opened at Tangkhul Avenue.

In his brief speech, Tharmi Shimray stated that with national and regional political parties firmly rooted in their own ideology and belief hardly any effort is being made to solve the Naga problem that had consequently led to floating the new regional political entity exclusively for the hill districts of Manipur.

Clarifying that UPDP has not been formed with an eye on the forthcoming general elections, Shimray cited inevitability to solve the Naga issue as the main factor for conceiving UPDP.

He also accused present Naga MLAs of adopting double standards contending that these representative who unhesitatingly endorsed Naga unification at Delhi do not think twice in pledging allegiance to protect territorial integrity of Manipur on their return from the national capital.

UPDP would strive to promote cordiality and peaceful co-existence of the hill-valley people in addition to optimum endeavours in alleviating development-starved hill dwellers, said the president.

Addressing as the political session's chairman, Soso Lorho said the GM convention was organised after consultation and approval of public leaders and civil society organisations.

Hurling charges upon the Government for administrative machinery breakdown, corrupt practices becoming the order of the day, financial mismanagement and scary law and order situation, the former Minister asserted that UPDP had been formed with a vision to eradicate several ills afflicting the State.

He also pointed out that rise in the number of public figures with dubious character and indulgence in divisive polity had fuelled enmity amongst various communities.

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