BJP MLAs, Chaoba leave for Delhi
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 03 2015:
With the party's internal election approaching fast, BJP Manipur Pradesh president Th Chaoba and Th Bishwajit and Kh Joykishan who have successfully opened the party's account in the Manipur Legislative Assembly left for Delhi today to make courtesy calls and consult with the party's Central leaders about the party's ensuing election.
On the invitation of BJP Manipur in-charge Prahlad Singh Patel, veteran politician Okram Joy who joined BJP recently and former DGP Y Joykumar too left Imphal for Delhi today.
BJP Manipur Pradesh has 12 districts and election of nine district presidents and 53 State councillors has been completed.
Although organisational election for Imphal West, Ukhrul and Tamenglong is still pending, the State Returning Officer has already submitted a report that due process for election of a new president and two National councillors may be initiated.
The report submitted to BJP National Returning Officer and National General Secretary (Organisation) informed that due process for the presidential election may be initiated soon.
According to information received by press, voting for election of new BJP State presidents has been scheduled on December 15 but no date has been fixed so far for election of a new BJP Manipur Pradesh president.
BJP National office is likely to depute a Central leader for consultation with party's State leaders before taking a final decision on holding the presidential election.
If possible, BJP National office may appoint a consensus candidate as a new president of BJP Manipur Pradesh.
Many political analysts are of the view that Th Chaoba's trip to New Dehi along with newly elected MLAs Th Bishwajit and Kh Joykishan is highly significant in the backdrop of the possible change of guard within BJP Manipur Pradesh.
The tenure of incumbent president Th Chaoba expires this month.
He has been lobbying with the Central leaders to extend his tenure for a few months citing the local body elections which were due in January.
Many people close to Th Chaoba exuded that his presidential term would be extended by a few months and the presidential election may be postponed.
On the other hand, many BJP leaders who have been longing for a change of guard maintained that extension of any president's tenure is unprecedented at the national level.
Information received from the party office said that former president Sh Shantikumar, M Bhorot, Dr H Borbabu and Prof S Tiken are in the race for the party president.
Before leaving Imphal, Y Joykumar said that he was leaving for Delhi together with O Joy as they were asked through telephone by Prahlad Singh Patel to come to Delhi.
"We are invited to Delhi as an acknowledgement of the pro-active roles we took in the recent by-election", he claimed.
He added that BJP Manipur Pradesh fought the by-election amidst much difficulties with a fixed amount of money provided by the Centre, he added.