Preparations for MSCP split nearing completion

IMPHAL, April 9: Preparations for the reported defection move by some sitting MLAs of the Manipur State Congress Party, MSCP, to the ruling Samata Party, is near complete, according to an insider source. The defection move is the result of a low profile campaign by the Samata Party to increase its strength of 12 in the House, to one of a single party majority, together with the growing disillusionment of the MSCP legislators with the internal power struggle between the former Chief Minister, Wahengbam Nipamacha Singh, and the Union minister of state for food processing, T Chaoba Singh. The source said an understanding has been reached between the Samata Party leader and Chief Minister, Radhabinod Koijam, and the putative MSCP rebels. The source also said there are some differences between the Chief Minister and T Chaoba on the matter. While the former wants to increase his party's numerical strength in the Assembly by merging some MSCP MLAs, the latter is opposed to the idea of the MSCP splintering any further. Chaoba had even warned during a recent press conference, against anybody engineering a further split in the MSCP. However, the source said despite all opposition, the Samata Party will go ahead with its plan to make itself the single majority in the Assembly with at least 32 MLAs in its fold. Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Assembly, S Dhananjoy Singh, the BJP leader, RK Dorendro Singh, state BJP president, M Bhorot, H Bidur, K Tomba and T Chaoba Singh are still camping in New Delhi. T Chaoba, it is learnt has claimed that he has 20 MSCP legislators loyal to him and as per his loyalists, he has with him the affidavits by the MLAs pledging support to him, signed by the oath commissioner.