All Seven Manipur NPP MLAs Skip Key Meeting, Rift in Party Deepening?

Amid growing internal tensions, former NPP Minister L. Jayenta's return to Congress signals a potential setback for the NPP in Manipur.

Manipur’s political landscape is facing turbulence within the National People’s Party (NPP) as internal discord grows between the party leadership and its seven elected MLAs. Tensions came to light when none of the MLAs attended a crucial state executive meeting at the NPP’s Naoremthong office in Imphal on Wednesday, raising concerns about the party’s unity and its alliance with the BJP-led government in the state.

The situation began after a state executive meeting held on September 27 in Guwahati, chaired by NPP National President Conrad K. Sangma. It was decided that a National Executive Meeting would be held on October 5 in New Delhi to deliberate whether the NPP should continue supporting the BJP or withdraw its backing. However, this meeting was postponed, with Sangma announcing the delay, leaving the Manipur unit uncertain about the party’s direction.

In response, the NPP’s Manipur state executive convened a meeting at its Naoremthong headquarters to discuss the future of the party’s alliance with the BJP. The meeting, organized under the knowledge of State Party President, saw the presence of senior NPP leaders, including National Vice President Yumnam Joykumar , former ministers Yumkham Irabot, N. Mangi, and former MLA S. Sobhachandra. However, the absence of all seven NPP MLAs, including key legislators in the Manipur Legislative Assembly, sparked speculation about growing internal divisions.

The postponement of the National Executive Meeting and the lack of clarity on the party’s stance on the BJP alliance have further fueled speculation about internal disagreements. Senior state executive members have resolved to urge the national leadership to explain the reasons for the delay and announce a new date for the meeting, which they see as crucial for deciding the party’s future strategy.

Meanwhile, adding to the NPP’s troubles, former NPP Minister and two-time MLA L. Jayentakumar, who served as a minister in the Congress-led Okram Ibobi government and later held a cabinet position in the BJP-NPP alliance under N. Biren Singh, joined Congress today. He was accompanied by Oinam Romen, a former NPP candidate from Singjamei constituency in the 2022 elections.

With mounting internal strife and potential defections, the NPP in Manipur faces a critical juncture. The question now is whether the party can resolve its internal differences or if this will mark a significant setback for the NPP, weakening its alliance with the BJP and its influence in Manipur’s political landscape.

The next steps will likely be clarified during the rescheduled National Executive Meeting, but for now, the future of the NPP in Manipur hangs in the balance.

Also Read: Manipur: Former Minister L. Jayentakumar Singh and 7 Others Join Congress

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