Nipamacha left in the lurch

IMPHAL, February 11: The 11-month-old United Front of Manipur (UFM) government led by Nipamacha Singh was reduced to a minority today after eight Manipur State Congress party (MSCP) legislators defected to the Opposition camp. The UFM now has only 27 legislators in the 60-member Manipur House. In a series of dramatic events today, the MSCP's central executive meeting chaired by working president Thounaoujam Chaoba Singh expelled Chief Minister Nipamacha Singh, deputy Chief Minister L. Chandramani Singh and five other Cabinet ministers for six years from the primary membership of the party for alleged anti-party activities. Union minister of state for food processing Chaoba Singh, an arch rival of Chief Minister Nipamacha Singh arrived here from New Delhi. Addressing a news conference at the Speaker's official residence, Chaoba Singh blamed the Chief Minister for precipitating the ongoing political and financial crisis in the state. He said 11 of the 17 members in the central committee decided to expel Nipamacha Singh and more expulsions were likely to follow. The Union minister denied any split in the party and said his group was the original MSCP. When asked about the leadership issue in the Opposition camp, he said it would be settled amicably. Though he denied being in the race for leadership, he hinted that he was not averse to accepting the responsibility if offered. MSCP vice-president G. Joykumar Sharma, a Nipamacha Singh loyalist, termed Chaoba Singh's actions as illegal. He said the Union minister was not authorised to take any such action and added that Chaoba Singh and two of his supporters had been expelled from the party for alleged anti-party activities. He said the central executive meeting had no validity as it was held without party chief Nipamacha Singh. The latest crisis in the MSCP surfaced after its legislature wing led by Nipamacha Singh decided to pull out of the National Democratic Front Alliance at the Centre. However, Chaoba Singh said the legislature wing was not authorised to take any such decision. Today's central committee meeting also decided to continue with the NDA. Chaoba Singh said he would approach Speaker Sapam Dhananjoy asking him to retain the seven expelled members as "unattached" members of the House. Sources said the Speaker, in favour of Chaoba Singh, may treat the Chief Minister, his deputy and other Cabinet ministers as "unattached" members. Despite procuring a majority, the problem in the Opposition camp was far from over. The intense leadership tussle was expected to delay formation of an alternative government. The 22-member Manipur Democratic Front, which includes the BJP and the Samata Party, has two contenders to the post of the BJP legislature wing leader- R.K. Dorendra Singh and Radhabinod Koijam. Besides Chaoba Singh is also eying the leader's post. At present the ruling United Front of Manipur has 27 members in the 60-member House, whose effective strength is 59 because of the death of a Samata Party MLA. MSCP, the dominant partner, has 22 legislators, the Federal Party of Manipur four and the Independent, one. The Opposition Manipur Democratic Front has 22 members of which the Samata Party has 12, BJP six, NCP two, the Janata Dal (S) one and MPP one. The breakaway Chaoba Singh faction has eight legislators. The Congress, which stayed away from the crisis, has one member and the Speaker.