IMPHAL, March 29: Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaikhangam, who also holds the deputy Chief Minister portfolio has been replaced from his presidency today by the AICC with immediate effect, conceding to the pressure of the dissident group in the party.
Former minister and sitting MLA TN Haokip, a senior leader of the state Congress has been appointed as the new president of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee.
Gaikhangam has held the post for more than a decade.
A source from Delhi informed IFP over the phone that the secretary of the AICC from New Dehli has informed of TN Haokip’s appointment as the new president of the MPCC.
However, official intimation regarding the latest development in the crisis ridden MPCC was not available till the time of filing this report.
It is learnt that acknowledging the decision of the party high command, Gaikhangam, as is the tradition of the party, has officially congratulated the new president today at the Congress Bhavan late in the evening.
With the dissident group reportedly took a victory lap following the development, and organised an informal convergence late in the evening, sources said.
Asserting that they have also recieved reliable information, an MLA from the dissident group expressed hope that a cabinet reshuffle would be effected in the coming few days as party high command was firm on resolving the crisis within the party at the earliest.
Even though there has been no specific time frame with regards to the reshuffle of cabinet Ministers, the dissidents are expecting it by March end.
In the wake of the replacement of the MPCC president, rumours are doing the round that altogether eight ministers are likely to be sacked leaving behind only the senior legislators.