NPP infighting gets more intense : 'Expelled' Kipgen 'expels' Kayisii
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 28 2020: In an unexpected turn of events within the National People's Party (NPP), Thangminlien Kipgen, who was recently removed and expelled from the party as its Manipur unit president has now expelled N Kayisii, the newly appointed interim president for six years.

Interestingly, NPP National president and Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma had expelled Kipgen from the party for 'going against the Constitution' and appointed Tribal Affairs and Hills Minister N Kayisii as the NPP Manipur unit interim president in his place recently.

Conrad had announced Kipgen's removal from the party and Kayisii's appointment as interim president on August 26 .

With Kipgen now claiming to be the president of the NPP Manipur unit and both factions accusing each other of going against party Constitution, there seems to be a cloud of confusion within the State unit as to who is leading the party.

The unexpected twist unfolded when Thangminlien Kipgen released a statement yesterday clarifying his stand and expelling interim president N Kayisii from the party for six years for indulging in "anti-party" activities.

In the statement Kipgen signed as the NPP Manipur unit president, he clarified that he "never" acted against the party Constitution as alleged by the National president.

He claimed that the National president (Conrad) was "misled" by some individuals for their personal gain.

"I have never acted against the Constitution of the party as alleged by the National president as I have stated earlier.

The National president was misled by some individuals for their personal gain.

The recent constitution of the State election authority was also done in accordance with the Constitution since the present tenure of my presidentship was about to expire on 26 August 2020," Kipgen said in the statement.

He further fired a salvo at Conrad and said, "It is surprising to note the Constitution of the party referred by the National president in all his letters and speeches are not found in the referred Constitution of the National People's Party.

The referred document is neither found in the ECI website as well as in the National People's Party office in Manipur" .

The election procedure conducted on August 25 is as per the provision of the Constitution that was followed in the year 2017.The show cause notice of August 20 issued by the National general secretary of NPP "informed me to respond within 15 days".

However, before he could give a reply to the letter (showcause notice), the National president expelled him from the party via an order dated August 24, which is "unconstitutional, unbecoming and uncalled for," Kipgen said.

Kipgen then claimed that N Kayisii has been expelled from the NPP for indulging in "anti-party activities" .

"Shri N Kayisii who has been recently appointed as an interim president by the National president has indulged in anti-party activities and also has failed to renew his party membership.

Thus, he is no longer a member of the NPP Manipur.

Therefore, on the recommendation of the disciplinary committee under Article 19 of the party's Constitution, I expel him from the party for 6 years, wef 27/08/2020," said Kipgen in his statement.

An order issued by Thongkam Haokip, general secretary (adm), NPP Manipur, attached with Kipgen's statement, showed N Kayisii's expulsion from the party for six years on recommendation of Disciplinary Action Committee, NPP Manipur.

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