Poor poll show sparks oust-chaoba move
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 28 2014: Fallout of the poor performance of BJP candidates in both the Outer and inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituencies in the 16th Lok Sabha election is set to cause serious problem to the BJP Manipur Pradesh president Thounaojam Chaoba for dissi-dents within the political orga- nisation are reportedly lobb-ying with party's central leaders to topple the State unit chief from the post.

Nevertheless, a State unit BJP member loyal to Th Chaoba insisting that the campaign to oust the president would be a futile exercise also claims to have missives from central leaders ruling out possibility of change in guard at the juncture.

Moreover, the party chief will remain in office till his term ceases in December 2015, they said.

BJP Manipur President Thounaojam Chaoba

On otherhand, blaming Th Chaoba's alleged authoritarian style of handling the party affairs, particularly in selecting BJP nominees for the two Parliamentary seats for defeats of both nominees at the recent election as well as contending that senior party lea- ders were overlooked on the matter, senior party member, including three former State unit presidents are said to be camping at the national capital to rusticate Th chaoba.

Speaking on condition of anonymity about the New Delhi camp wherein prominent State unit leaders are also said to be putting up for the past few days, a party member in the dissident group re- vealed that complaint letters signed by 15-16 senior members have been placed before the party's national president Rajnath Singh and general secretary (Orgn) Ram Lal de-manding replacement of Chaoba.

Stating that the dissident group was waiting for the swearing in of Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister to launch the campaign, the member said the crusade has been consequently intensified to remove Chaoba and revitalise the organisation.

Further claiming that pressure is being mounted on the party leadership to expedite process for Chaoba's replacement, the member also contended that documents containing details of the Chaoba's alleged anti-party activities have been submitted to the national leaders.

As part of the campaign the anti-Chaoba current within the State unit has also been highlighted to the BJP-led NDA Government's North East in-charge Gen (Retd) VK Singh today, disclosed the member.

Continuing the tirade against the president, the member said problems besieged the political organisation mainly due to favouritism and bias in the allotment of party tickets for the Lok Sabha elections.

Overlooking senior party members in the ticket allotment process, dictatorial style of functioning, financial indiscipline and putting up a politically naive individual to contest the poll are some factors for the party's dismal performance at the elections, the member maintained.

Regretting that political miscalculation and inefficiency of Chaoba resulted in the State unit's failure to capitalise on the nationwide popularity wave of Narendra Modi, the member also claimed that Th Chaoba donning the role of the party's star campaigner has not only backfired but the former MP failed miserably to both convince the electors and appropriately present the party nominees.

Expressing that in case Chaoba remains as the president the BJP organisation will not only further disintegrate but will also seriously affect party's prospect in future elections, the member said the Chaoba factor would be deterrent against the national party leaders objectives for transparency in governance and root out corruption from the country.

Meanwhile, belittling the campaign, a chaoba loyalist also in New delhi with the party chief currently, observed that victory or losing elections is a part and parcel of democracy.

There has been no indication from the central leaders till date that Chaoba's term would end prematurely, said the loyalist.