Kim Gangte: Leading the way

Imphal, Feb. 12: The Trinamul Congress made further inroads into the Northeast by opening a party unit, its fourth in the region, in Manipur today.

Kim Gangte, a former MP from Outer Manipur, announced the opening of the state unit at a news conference here this afternoon.

Gangte and former chief minister R.K. Dorendro Singh, who resigned from the BJP yesterday, have been appointed convenors of the party’s ad hoc committee.

Trinamul chief Mamata Banerjee will appoint the state unit president in three to six months’ time.

She appointed Sumatibala Devi as the convenor of the party’s women’s wing in the valley and N.J. Hoinu Misao in the hills.

Asked how he would introduce the party in Manipur that has units of almost every national and regional party, Dorendro Singh had yesterday said: “I will watch the situation for some more days.”

He was not present at today’s news conference. “Dorendro is outside the state. I have not been able to contact him,” Gangte said.

“We like-minded politicians and social workers in Manipur have trust in Mamataji. .…Manipur needs a leader like her for the uplift of the poor,” she said.

The launch of the party in Manipur is not surprising considering the Assembly elections are in early 2012.

Given the influence of Dorendro Singh and Gangte, who enjoy a large following, mostly from the poor in the hills, the party could spring a surprise in the polls.

Arunachal Pradesh has five Trinamul members in the 60-member House and Trinamul Congress is one of the main Opposition parties there.

Political heavyweights are reportedly lining up to join the new party. Gangte did not disclose their names but sources said former Deputy Speaker T.T. Haokip was among those willing to join the party.

Several professionals, including lawyers, turned up at the venue of today’s news conference.

“Mamataji is very concerned over the prevailing situation in Manipur and the enforcement of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in the state. Our MPs will raise the issues in the next parliamentary session. I am preparing a report on this. Mamataji will visit Manipur soon to get a first hand knowledge,” Gangte said.

She said the Trinamul Congress would also open a unit in Mizoram very soon.