Imphal, 01 Sep 2020 ( Evening News ) : NPP Legislator cum Deputy Chief Minister, Yumnam Joykumar has declared that Thangminlien Kipgen is a self acclaimed President of National People’s Party, NPP Manipur State Unit who has been already expelled from the Party and that he has no connection whatsoever with NPP. He was responding to media query regarding bifurcation within NPP on the sidelines of 74th Birth Anniversary celebration of NPP Founder P.A Sangma today. The event was held at the office of NPP Manipur State Unit in Naoremthong. Yumnam Joykumar reiterated that former President of NPP Manipur State Unit-Thangminlien Kipgen was expelled from NPP by National President Conrad K Sangma on August 24 for acting against the Party’s Constitution. He said Thangminlien Kipgen claims to the Party President till date, however he is no longer associated with NPP anymore.

Attending the celebration, Interim President of NPP Manipur State Unit cum Tribal & Affairs Minister, N. Kayisii said NPP Candidates will definitely contest in the upcoming Bi-Elections. However, it is yet to be decided whether NPP candidates will contest from every constituencies or not. He said the decision on the same will taken upon the arrival of the Party National President. Floral tributes were paid to the portrait of P. A Sangma by 4 NPP Legislators of the BJP led State Government and other party leaders at the event. Corporator of Imphal Municipal Corporation Ward no. 27 N. Herojit who have left Congress to join the NPP was accorded a warm welcome on the occasion.