Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 04:
Simmering discontentment within the Manipur People�s Party (MPP) over the conduct of the recent organisational election to elect a new party president erupted today with party workers clashing and braying for each others' blood.
At least two persons sustained injuries in the clash.
They are president of MPP Thongju Kendra N Hemchand of Khongman and delegate member Sairem Shyamsunder of Lamshang Bazar.
An injured Shyamsunder has lodged a complaint with the SP Imphal West charging one Okram Deben, an alleged supporter of the newly elected party president, with assaulting him within the office complex and demanding action against the assailant.
In view of the development, a meeting of the working committee of the party has been convened tomorrow to discuss and find out a solution to put an end to the internal wranglings once and for all.
As Laitonjam Borajao has not been able to take reins of the party despite being elected as the new president following the dramatic resignation of M Binodkumar from the post of party�s State Returning Officer without having issued the relevant certificate concerning the election of Borajao as the new party chief, temper rose among the party workers leading to the clash.
Meanwhile, talking to mediapersons at the party office here today, newly elected president L Borajao informed that certificate concerning his election to the post had been issued by Assistant State Returning Officer Md Ayub Khan and the same submitted to the Election Commission of India.
Borajao said the resignation of M Binodkumar from the post of SRO contending that the conduct of the presidential election of the party was against the norms of the party constitution was very unfortunate and unacceptable.
He asserted that the notification for holding the election of the party president on December 11, 2005 was issued on November 25, thus there was a gap of 15 days.
If it was illegal, why didn�t the SRO reacted then, he questioned.
The election had been held within the stipulated time given by the Election Commission to save the symbol of the party, he added.
Alleging that the post of the ASRO had been abolished by M Binodkumar while he was the SRO even before the election of the party vice president, working committee, election committee and disciplinary committee could be held, the newly elected president maintained that the arrangement seem to have been made so that the ASRO could not issue the election certificates.
Former party president and MLA O Joy who arrived while the press conference was underway informed that the working committee would be discussing all the reasonable complaints raised during the meeting tomorrow.