Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 17:
Despite speculations that United Naga Council's president Paul Leo has resigned owing moral responsibility for the loss of five UNC sponsored candidates in the recent 9th Manipur assembly elections and other internal impasse, council functionaries clarified he resigned on health ground.
the UNC chief had tendered his resignation yesterday.
While confirming submission of Paul's resignation letter to the council, its publicity secretary S Milan, said the matter would be discussed as a main agenda in the council's general body meeting tentatively fixed for April 26.The council's assembly speaker would decide the meeting's venue and date, he said adding all information in this regard has been despatched to the constituent members.
On being queried Milan said, "There is no such point that president Paul Leo tendered his resignation pertaining to the recent polls and that there is no misunderstanding amongst the leadership of the council.
He resigned on health ground".
Out of eleven candidates fielded by the UNC, which has been spearheading the Naga integration movement, six were elected.
Three other Naga candidates also succeeded in the polls, including Gaikhngam.
There was stiff opposition by a number of aspiring Naga candidates against the UNC's mode of selecting 'consensus candidates ahead of the state Assembly polls.
Paul Leo had stated that the victorious six independent candidates would sit on the Opposition bench in the Manipur Assembly and would work for the common cause of the Nagas.
On the contrary, the council sponsored MLA Dr Khashim Ruivah, who won from Chingai constituency in Ukhrul district, was in the race for the post of chairman of Hill Areas Committee (HAC) only to withdrew his candidature in favour of Thangminlien Kipgen of the National Peoples' Party (NPP).
Subsequently Kipgen was elected on April 13 leading to assumption Paul's stepping down might be linked to Dr Ruivah initially fraying from the UNC ethos.
Ruivah's withdrawal followed an appeal from V Hangkhanlian, leader of the NPP, in the interest of unity of the opposition.