Imphal, July 1: The two factions of the Manipur People?s Party (MPP), a major Opposition grouping of Manipur, have decided to reunite.

This development has raised hopes that there would be rapid progress in the campaign for unification of the state?s regional parties before the next Assembly elections.

The MPP, which is the oldest regional party here, had ruled the state once. It split into two factions in January after the then outgoing president, Okram Joy Singh, refused to recognise the election of L. Borajao as the new party chief. His election was held on December 31 last year.

Though Joy Singh, a party MLA, refused to hand over charge to his successor, the Election Commission recognised Borajao as the party president. The disintegration of the party entailed litigation and violence in the party office complex in Imphal.

Three of Joy Singh?s sons were taken into police custody after they assaulted a party leader loyal to Borajao. This came in the wake of a court order that prevented Joy Singh and his faction from entering the party office. The youths were released on bail.

The latest move by both factions came after Imphal?s civil judge (junior division) gave both the groups time till Monday to patch up, when it would give its final verdict. The party office was kept under lock and key since June 28 after the same court prevented both factions from entering the complex.

According to the terms of the pact reached between them, Borajao will continue to be the president and he, in turn, will revoke the expulsion order against Joy Singh.

The unification materialised during a meeting of leaders of the factions last night at the official residence of party MLA Nimaichand Luwang.

Factionalism within the MPP has proved to be the main hurdle in the efforts for unification of three regional parties ? the MPP, the Federal Party of Manipur and the Democratic Revolutionary People?s Party ? into a new front, wherein the existing parties will be dissolved. While Joy Singh?s group is ready to join the new dispensation, the Borajao camp is expressing reservations against the proposal.

?Though we have agreed to reunite, no decision has been taken regarding the MPP?s dissolution for the merger,? a source in the Borajao camp said.

?The unification is a major step towards merger of the three parties. Everything will be sorted out very soon,? a leader of the Democratic Revolutionary People?s Party claimed.