Imphal, Nov. 22: The transfer of the office complex belonging to the erstwhile Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP) to the BJP has spawned a major controversy.

The Manipur government today suspended the officer responsible for the “illegal transfer”. After MSCP president and Lok Sabha MP Thounaojam Chaoba Singh merged his party with the BJP, workers of the state unit of the saffron party had occupied the office complex, located opposite Raj Bhavan. They had even hoisted the green-and-saffron flags of the party all over the complex.

Following strong protests by MSCP dissidents opposing the merger, the Imphal West district magistrate had clamped prohibitory orders in the complex under Section 144. Police were deployed to prevent entry of BJP workers as well as MSCP dissidents into the complex.

The official involved in the “illegal” transfer of ownership in the BJP’s favour has been identified as assistant settlement and survey officer A. Tombi Singh. Sources said the the area was not even under the jurisdiction of the officer who had issued the order.

MSCP dissidents yesterday lodged a complaint with chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh and revenue minister E. Biramani Singh over the “illegal” transfer.

They said the revenue department’s order has violated all its established procedures and the provisions of the Land Revenue Act.

Ibobi Singh is reported to be annoyed as the transfer of ownership was carried out without his knowledge while the crisis in the MSCP is yet to be resolved. Sources said he had even pulled up the revenue minister for the order and asked him to initiate action against the official responsible.

Events took a new turn today when the crisis management steering committee, floated by the MSCP dissidents, elected former Cabinet minister M. Hemanta Singh as “interim president” of the party. The committee has decided to convene a political conference of the party on its sixth foundation day on December 5.

Addressing newsmen here today, Hemanta Singh said the current political scenario is similar to the one witnessed just before the extension of the NSCN (I-M) ceasefire to Manipur last year. He alleged the BJP was using Chaoba Singh to destabilise the government.

MSCP sources claimed the BJP had used Chaoba Singh to topple the Radhabinod Koijam ministry before the extension of the NSCN (I-M) ceasefire.