Manipur TMC replaces president

However, the incumbent says only Mamata has authority to remove her

The Trinamool Congress, which has 7 MLAs in the 60-member Assembly in Manipur, is faction ridden with a majority of MLAs and executive members “removing” Kim Gangte, president and elected Jaikishan Khumukcham, MLA, the new president.

However Ms. Gangte told The Hindu that she will remain as the president till party leader Mamata Banerjee asks her to step down.

There have been disturbing developments in TMC with reports that some MLAs had a close nexus with the BJP and that some of them had attended election-related functions of BJP candidates for the last Lok Sabha elections.

In a surprise development, a news conference was held at the residence of Kunjo Maibam, TMC MLA from Hiyanglam at Babupara in Imphal on Wednesday night. Four TMC MLAs and 19 executive members were present. The fifth MLA, Lukhoi Oinam, was not present as he left for Delhi.

They disclosed that they had sent an official letter to the TMC high command about removing Ms. Gangte and electing the new president.

There are 35 executive members. However 10 of them were expelled from the party for joining the BJP and indulging in anti-party activities. Out of the 25 members, 19 have approved the election of the new president.

Some TMC functionaries said that there was no factionalism in the Manipur unit of TMC. These steps had been taken up to strengthen the party. They said the TMC was the second largest party in Manipur with 7 MLAs. However, TMC candidates could not get sufficient votes in the Lok Sabha elections.

They denied the report that there was a move to merge the TMC with the BJP.