Ibobi, Gaikhangam eye chair of MPCC president ; Oken too joins race for MPCC's top post
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 15 2017:
Apart from ex-Chief Minister Okram Ibobi and ex-Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who are currently stationed at Delhi and lobbying for the post of MPCC president, former Minister Moirangthem Oken too have been meeting many AICC leaders at Delhi lobbying for the same post .
Notably JD Seelam who was nominated as the Returning Officer for election of new MPCC president came to Imphal on October 8 and met PCC members and DCC presidents, and elicited their opinions and preferences for the post of MPCC president .
Out of the 75-member electoral college comprising of PCC members and DCC presidents, 50 members submitted a memorandum to the AICC in favour of electing a new president.
However, JD Seelam went back to Delhi with a one-line resolution which claimed that the PCC members and DCC presidents support any individual nominated by AICC to the post of MPCC president .
According to information received from Delhi, O Ibobi, Gaikhangam and M Oken have been meeting many AICC leaders separately lobbying for the MPCC's top post .
Apart from growing older, O Ibobi had served as the MPCC president for two terms and Gaikhangam held the same post for 11 years.
Incumbent president TN Haokip is becoming a bit older and he is said to be not effective enough as the party's president.
As such, AICC is reluctant to retain him as MPCC president .
Majority of the AICC leaders are in favour of M Oken for the post of MPCC president after taking into consideration the next Parliamentary election, the State's political situation and the party's record .
M Oken contested the Manipur State Assembly election six times and he emerged victorious four times .
However when JD Seelam came to Imphal, M Oken expressed his support to incumbent president TN Haokip .
One Congress MLA hosted a dinner at his home last night and discussed the election of a new MPCC president.
The dinner was attended by majority of the CLP members .
It is being speculated that a new president of MPCC may be announced after a new president of AICC is elected.