CM-Chaoba relations souring further, MSCP polls likely by April

IMPHAL, January 31: Relations between the Manipur State Congress Party President, chief minister W Nipamacha, and its working president, Union minister of state T Chaoba, are reported to be deteriorating further, even as the Election Commission of India has issued instructions for holding elections to the MSCP central committee before the month of April. According to informed sources within the MSCP, during several meetings held at the chief minister's bungalow, several party leaders have voiced doubt over the role played by T Chaoba in the ongoing political tussle between the Ruling and Opposition groups in the State. Some have gone as far as to propose his removal from the post of party working president, the sources said. On the other hand, Chaoba, and his supporters in the party have taken precautions against such an eventuality, the sources said. It is believed that 12 or 13 ministers in the present United Front ministry are staunch Chaoba supporters. The sources said Nipamacha and his supporters were at a disadvantage in any move to remove Chaoba from his post, as the MSCP constitution specifies that the working president should be chosen by a general body meeting of the party. The Nipamacha group is reported to be earnestly consulting with experts to amend the constitution and get around this provision. It may be mentioned, however, that two meetings had been called to amend the constitution, but the move failed both times. In the meantime, Chaoba, who was on a trip to Kerala, is reported to be on his way back to Imphal. It is worth mentioning that Chaoba has made no comments so far on the political tussle that his party had been engaged in with the Opposition since November 15 last year. The party sources in the meantime added that the central executive committee of the MSCP is likely to meets on to set a date for holding a full convention of the party and choosing a new central committee. The sources noted that scheduled central committee meeting have been postponed three times already because of the disagreement between Chaoba and Nipamacha. A senior MSCP leader also told IFP that if the disagreement between the party president and working president is not resolved soon, there is a possibility of the MSCP breaking up.