Rift in MPP takes ugly turn, two knifed
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 22 2017:
Dissension within the ranks of Manipur People's Party has resurfaced with some coming to fisticuffs and interim president O Jugindro and his son suffering knife wounds later in the evening today.
Both have been admitted to RIMS hospital .
Fresh discord surfaced after former MPP president N Sovakiran was expelled from the party by its Central Committee in May this year for alleged misuse of party fund and after it was found that Sovakiran, who contested the last Assembly election, did not even cast his vote in his favour.
The party's Central Committee had on May 16 appointed O Jugindro as its interim president and Saratkumar Maimom and M Amutombi as working presidents.
The latest development came on Sept 20 O Jugindro terminated one of the working presidents Saratkumar Maimom from ordinary membership of the party for six years for his 'anti-party' activities .
Ironically, working president Saratkumar Maimom has issued an order on the same day terminating working president O Jugindro permanently from the party on charge of 'anti-party' activities .
When reporters thronged the MPP office located near Kangjeibung this evening on receiving information that there was a scuffle, both leaders presented their sides of the story to the media persons .
Working president Saratkumar Maimom accused O Jugindro of despatching a distorted letter to ECI after illegally obtaining papers from the office of the party's State returning officer Kh Somendro.
However, the ECI has not yet responded to the letter of Jugindro .
He further accused Jugindro of misappropriating party fund and appointing his son as a driver .
Saratkumar said that he was expelled by Jugindro for trying to bring back 14 Central Committee members who were expelled by Jugindro into the party fold .
On the other hand, O Jugindro strongly refuted the charge that he obtained papers illegally from the office of the party's RO and sent a letter to the ECI .
He said that the MPP constitution has provision that a Central Committee membership would cease if a member fails to attend three consecutive Central Committee meetings.
Based on this provision, 14 CC members were expelled .
He also refuted the charge of misappropriation of party fund.
He accused Saratkumar of resorting to self-styled and baseless activities.
And he was expelled from the party for his anti-party activities .
A Central Committee meeting is being convened tomorrow at 11 am for election of new party president.