MSCP factions trade charges

IMPHAL, April 1: The two factions of the Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP) have started trading charges, though most of the legislators are undecided over which side to support. Sources said the two factions - one led by former Chief Minister W. Nipamacha Singh and the other by Union minister of state for food processing Th. Chaoba Singh - are trying to establish themselves as the "real MSCP". Though the party has split into two camps at the organisational level, a distinctive division is yet to surface in its legislature wing. The MSCP is the single largest party in the Manipur Assembly with 31 legislators. However, it was not clear which faction commands majority in the party legislature wing as most legislators are maintaining a "neutral" stand, a party source said. Commerce and industries minister M. Kunjo Singh, a Nipamacha loyalist, said the infighting will not affect the Radhabinod Koijam-led People's Front government which is still supported by both factions of the MSCP. While a case over the "real MSCP" issue is pending in the Gauhati High Court, both factions have submitted their documents to the Election Commission. Several senior party leaders said the issue now rests at the hands of the court and the commission. Vice-president of the Nipamacha camp, G. Joykumar Sharma, recently met Election Commission officials in New Delhi to discuss the issue. While dismissing Chaoba Singh's election as president of the other faction, Sharma told newsmen here that the commission has recognised the re-election of Nipamacha Singh as party president. However, the Chaoba Singh camp has termed Sharma's statement as false and misleading. L Amujao Singh, vice-president of the Chaoba Singh faction, told newsmen here today that Nipamacha Singh has already been expelled from the MSCP for anti-party activities. Majority of the party's original central executive committee members support Chaoba Singh, he added. Amujao alleged that Nipamacha has violated the party's constitution and submitted a "bogus" list of central executive members to the Election Commission. He claimed that Chaoba Singh is the "lawful" president of the MSCP. Sources said the commission may give its decision on the MSCP issue during the May 11 byelection to the Kshetrigao Assembly constituency which was necessitated by the death of state Samata Party president Basantakumar Wangkhem. Both MSCP factions are likely to field their candidates in the bypolls and a fight over the election symbol is inevitable, they added. If the Election Commission decides to freeze the present MSCP symbol and allot separate ones to the two factions, a distinct division in the party is bound to surface, insiders