Infighting in NPP Manipur takes new turn, newly appointed interim president “expelled”, central leadership unmoved

IMPHAL | AUG 28, 2020:

The infighting within the National People's Party (NPP) in Manipur took a new turn on Thursday after Minister N Kayisii was expelled by the state unit led by Thangminlen Kipgen after earlier being appointed the interim president by NPP National President Conrad Sangma.

The development comes in the wake of the expulsion of Kipgen along with a few others from the party by Conrad Sangma on August 24.

In a video release issued on August 27, Kipgen said the decision to expel the newly appointed interim president and cabinet minister, N Kayisii was taken on the recommendation of the disciplinary action committee under Article 19 of the party constitution.

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"He (Kayisii) was expelled from the party for six years from August 27 for anti-party activities and for failing to renew his membership," Kipgen said.

Reacting to the recent decision of the NPP national president and Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma to expel Kipgen and a few others for "going against the party constitution", Kipgen said, "I have never acted and will never go against the constitution of the NPP. Like I have said earlier, the national president was misled by some individuals for personal gain."

He further added that the recent constitution of the state election authorities was done following the party constitution since the tenure of his (Kipgen) presidentship was about to expire on August 26, 2020.

Kipgen also stated that the election process conducted on August 25, 2020, was done according to the provision under the constitution as was done in 2017 in the presence of the national president.

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"The show-cause notice issued by the national general secretary informed me to respond within 15 days from the date of issuance of the letter. However, before I can reply to the letter, the national president issued an order of expulsion on August 24 which is unconstitutional and unbecoming and uncalled for," said Kipgen.

Meanwhile, when contacted, NPP Secretary incharge of Manipur, Mutchu Mithi said, "We don't have anything to say on this … because the entire episode has become like a joke. The interim president is an official appointee by the national president. He can take a call on whether to discuss the matter with the dissenters to resolve the issue."

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