Chaoba axes 8 MSCP heavyweights

IMPHAL, February 11: The MSCP working president, and Union minister of State for Food Processing, T Chaoba Singh, taking a hand openly for the first time in the political imbroglio in the state, announced today that Chief Minister W Nipamacha and his deputy, L Chandrmani and six other have been expelled from the primary membership of the Ruling Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP) for six years by the party central executive committee (CEC). The announcement at a press meet today came in the wake of eight MSCP MLAs deserting Nipamacha and joining the Opposition camp yesterday. Thounaojam Chaoba, who flew in from New Delhi today, affirmed that the party will continue to support the Vajpayee-led Government at the Centre notwithstanding the UF legislators' decision to withdraw support to the NDA government. He said the decision to withdraw support to the NDA was taken by the United Legislature Front and not by the party. Apart from the Chief Minister and the deputy Chief Minister, those declared expelled from the party are, P Achou (MAHUD minister), Samuel Jendai (Tribal Development), Ksh Biren (IFCD), S Rajen (Agriculture) M Kunjo (Information) and H Lokhon (Finance). The Chief Minister, deputy Chief Minister and the six others have been charged of anti-party activities under article 9 (VII) and article 11 of the party constitution. The committee also took serious note of the signing of a 26 point action plan with the Centre without the approval of the CEC and maintained that it affected the credibility of MSCP as a political party. The Chief Minister has also been charged by the CEC by clandestinely attempting to reconstitute the CEC by writing a private letter to the election Commission on December 8. Nipamacha is also charged with manipulating the MSCP-CLP to withdraw support from the NDA. He said that the eight MSCP MLAs deserted the Ruling camp due to the attempt to mislead the party by some leaders. Chaoba said that the central executive meting was attended by 11 members out of 17 members active at present. He said five of the members out of the 21 have ceased to be members after the last Assembly election. Regarding the leadership of the Manipur Democratic Alliance, he said the option of leadership is still open, but declined to make further comments when asked if he will be one of the contenders for the leadership. He indicated that he would still like to continue to serve the people of Manipur at the Centre. Meanwhile, the Opposition camp has indicated that the Speaker may summon the Assembly session within the next few days.