Imphal, Manipur, February 6 (HBTV): The National Peoples' Party (NPP) National president Conrad K Sangma has appointed Kshetrigao constituency legislator Sheikh Noorul Hassan as the leader of NPP legislative party for Manipur, an official statement informed.

 A statement signed by Sangma said that "in view of the untimely demise of our MLA Kayisii who was the leader of the legislative party, the party has appointed Sheikh Noorul Hassan as leader of legislative party."

Sangma, in a separate statement also informed that Y Joykumar Singh has been appointed the interim state president of Manipur NPP.

Further, Joykumar has appointed Hassan as the working president of the Manipur NPP until further notice.

With seven MLAs the previous year, the NPP had withdrawn its support to the Biren Singh-led government. Now with seven MLAs, Sheikh Norul Hassan is likely to become leader of opposition. Congress party has only five MLAs in the 60-member legislative assembly.