The Civil Judge (junior division) of Imphal West has summoned the state party chief Adhikarimayum Sarda Devi to appear before the court on February 24 following former chief spokesperson of state BJP Chongtham Bijoy Singh alleging his removal from the post was unconstitutional.

Bijoy Singh filed the suit against the party chief under Section 34 of the Specific Relief Act, 1963, with a prayer for declaration with consequential reliefs.

The court order started, “Whereas, the above named Plaintiff has filed a suit for declaration with consequential reliefs under Section 34 of the Specific Relief Act, 1963 against you. You are hereby summoned to appear in this Court in person or by a pleader duly instructed, and able to answer all material in question relating to this application on 24/02/20 2 2-at 10-30 a.m. to answer the claim; and further you are hereby directed to file on the day a written statement for your defence and to produce the same on the said day. (A copy of the Plaint along enclosed documents are hereby enclosed for your reference). Take notice that, in default of your appearance on the day before mentioned, the suit will be heard and determined in your absence”.

The counsels of the petitioner, Chongtham Bijoy Singh, in the case are advocate N. Abhi Singh and advocate Ningombam Bupenda Meitei.

Bijoy was expelled for six years for allegedly violating the party’s rules and regulations.

He had called the National People’s Party (NPP) a “parasite that had proved a menace” to the ruling coalition in the past five years’, NPP and is an ally in the Manipur government. Singh said he would support the JD(U) candidate from Uripok Kh Suresh in the upcoming assembly elections as he wanted to contest the polls from this seat.

Recently he said, “I was denied a party ticket as I was vocal against corruption. I was expelled without serving any show-cause notice. The expulsion was due to the vested interest of the state president.”

It may be noted that Manipur BJP chief Sarda Devi has expelled the party spokesman for six years for violating the party’s rules and regulations.