State BJP may have a new chief soon

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 8: A new president of BJP Manipur Pradesh may be elected soon.
After Nitin Nabin was elected BJP National president recently and following  the installation of a popular Government in the State with Yumnam Khemchand as the Chief Minister, BJP Central leaders may soon elect a new president of the party’s State unit in place of incumbent president Adhikarimayum Sharda.
Sources said that the process of electing a new president of BJP Manipur Pradesh was delayed on account of the protracted violent crisis which erupted on May 3, 2023.
BJP Central leaders have been waiting for restoration of peace and normalcy in Manipur and installation of a popular Government to elect a new president of BJP Manipur Pradesh, according to the sources.
As a popular Government has been installed, the question of replacing A Sharda has surfaced.
Notably, A Sharda has been serving as the president of BJP Manipur Pradesh since June 26, 2021.
However, it is not yet clear who will replace A Sharda as the president of BJP Manipur Pradesh.
Given the fact that BJP will fight the Manipur Legislative Assembly elections in 2027 under the party’s State unit president, BJP Central leaders may choose a capable individual who can lead the party to a grand victory, said the sources.
On the other hand, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) recently elected former Chief Minister and current CLP leader Okram Ibobi as the president of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC).
Some BJP members have been speculating that a capable, senior leader who is left out from Yumnam Khemchand’s Council of Ministers may be elected as the president of BJP Manipur Pradesh.
At the same time, BJP Manipur Pradesh spokesman Moirangthem Asnikumar, former general secretary Samurailatpam Premananda Sharma and general secretary L Deven, and some others from the party’s organisation are being named among the probable list of BJP Manipur Pradesh president.        
Considering the fact that complete peace and normalcy have not been restored yet, it is being speculated that MLA Dinganglung (Dipu) Gangmei may be appointed as the next president of BJP Manipur Pradesh as he, being a Naga, will be able to move around and work for the party in both Kuki and Meitei areas.  
According to the speculations, Rajya Sabha Member Leisemba Sanajaoba is another probable candidate for the post of BJP Manipur Pradesh president.
Meanwhile, following indications from BJP Central leaders about electing a new president of BJP Manipur Pradesh, some party members have started lobbying for the post of president with the party’s Central leaders, said the sources.
As a convention, presidents of BJP State units are first elected before a new National president is elected. As such, BJP presidents of most States were elected before Nitin Nabin was elected as the new National president. However, the process of electing a new president of BJP Manipur Pradesh was delayed on account of the protracted crisis.