IMPHAL, February 3: In a clear show of the divide in the Manipur Peoples’ Party, Ak Sanaton said N Sovakiran should step down on moral grounds for failing to sustain the party, and allow the others led by himself to revive it.
Speaking to media persons at a press conference today, Sanaton, who was supported by N Ojit, S Dilip, L Aphabi and N Singhajit, alleged that Sovakiran has misused the security provided by the State government to the party and the same needs to be withdrawn at the earliest.
He further claimed that two cases are pending in the court against Sovakiran on alleged misappropriation of finance and unauthorised suspension of party members.
Sanaton said owning to the unconstitutional conduct of the former president, the party members as well as the performance of the party have been greatly affected and the MPP has been reduced to a family firm.
This is the main reason for the MPP being unable to contest the recent elections in the State, he continued.
Recalling the glorious days of the party, he said MPP was one of the popular regional party of the region.
But today, it has been reduced to become a dormant party under the leadership of N Sovakiran, he charged.
Sanaton said since his induction in 1972, he has been working tirelessly for the party.
MPP had ruled the State in 1972, 74 and in 1990 but today it is just an invisible party, he said.
He further charged that in the three years of Sovakiran as the president, there has been a lack of financial accountability and in the last conference of the party, there was neither a budget nor accounts was presented.
Such unconstitutional conduct of the party leader has destroyed the party and demoralised the members, he said claiming that in the January 30 party conference, he was elected the president of the party.
He continued, the party was compelled to held a conference outside the office of the party in order to revive and rebuild the party.
AK Sanaton said the 30 of January meeting resolved to strengthen the party, undo the misconducts and rebuild its regional party status and mobilize members.