Imphal, March 26 2010: Former member of Parliament (MP) Kim Gangte has regretted controversy dogging maiden venture of the Trinamool Congress in the State.

speaking to newspersons at Manipur Press Club this afternoon, Kim said the Trinamool high command had appointed her and former Chief Minister RK Dorendra as joint convenors of manipur Pradesh TC ahead of formal launch of the political organisation, whose leader Mamata Banerjee is the Union Railways Minister.

Describing internal wrangling of the proposed State unit TC as unfortunate, she nevertheless construed that the issue at hand is not a tussle for one-upmanship but differences of ideology which could be settled once individuals concerned meet and air respective opinions.

Exuding confidence that the matter would not persist for long, the former MP disclosed of party's central leader Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar instructing her to convene a meeting with all concerned, including RK Dorendra to pave the way for nomination of ex-legislator of the State assembly Laishom Ibomcha as chairman of TC's Autonomous District council election Committee.

In compliance with the instruction, a formal intimation has been sent to RK Dorendra, she added.

Joining in the media briefing, former MLA L Ibomcha said he had been verbally asked to assume charge as the ADC election Committee chairman which was subsequently confirmed after consulting central party leaders.

Pointing out that establishment of Manipur Pradesh Trinamool Congress is still at a nascent stage with only the groundwork being initiated at present, Ibomcha explained that as TC is not a national level political organisation launch of the State unit would require convening a general body meeting for adopting the Party constitution as well as recognition/consent of the Election Commission of India.

Observing that some individuals issuing notification for submission of applications from individuals desirous of contesting the proposed ADC polls on TC ticket is unwarranted as the party is yet to be officially recognised, the former Law Secretary suggested that those who had applied for ticket along with Rs 200 fee for ticket form should insist on reimbursement of not only the form fee but also expenses incurred in travelling.

Further elaborating that provision of party tickets for any election should be preceded by issuance of election notification by the election authority, Ibomcha cautioned that nomination as a party candidate even before official launch of the political party would mean the individual concerned treated as independents.

The former legislator also speculated that at the least official processes for launch/recognition of Manipur Pradesh Trinamool Congress would require six months.

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