Manipur CM calls NDA MLAs’ meeting after NPP withdraws support amid growing ethnic violence

NDA meet amid political instability and rising ethnic tensions in Manipur

Amid rising ethnic violence and the withdrawal of support from the National People’s Party (NPP), Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has called an urgent meeting of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) legislators to assess the situation and determine the next course of action. The meeting, scheduled for Monday evening, will bring together MLAs from the BJP, Janata Dal-United (JD-U), Naga People’s Front (NPF), and three independent legislators.

A close associate of the Chief Minister confirmed the meeting, stating it will be held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat at 6 p.m. on Monday. “The meeting will discuss the prevailing situation in Manipur and decide on the further course of action,” the associate told the news agency, IANS on the condition of anonymity.

The BJP-led government in Manipur, which had been supported by the NPP, now faces a significant challenge after the latter withdrew its backing. However, despite the NPP’s exit, the BJP retains a majority in the state Assembly with 32 legislators, and the support of the JD-U (6 seats), NPF (5 seats), and three independent MLAs.

The ongoing ethnic violence, which erupted on May 3, 2023, has further complicated the political landscape in the state. Ten tribal MLAs, including seven from the BJP and two from the Kuki People’s Alliance (KPA), have been boycotting Assembly sessions, demanding a separate administration or Union Territory for the tribal regions. Among them are two ministers — Letpao Haokip and Nemcha Kipgen, the lone woman minister — who have stayed away from the capital for security reasons and have not attended cabinet meetings.

Meanwhile, 13 civil society organizations representing the Meitei community have called for the resignation of all 50 MLAs in the state, including Chief Minister N Biren Singh. These groups have accused the elected representatives of lacking political will and warned that failure to address the ethnic violence could lead to a public uprising. The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a leading body of the Meitei community, issued a 24-hour ultimatum on Sunday to the Centre and the state government, demanding decisive action against armed groups responsible for the violence.

COCOMI spokesperson Khuraijam Athouba urged all 50 sitting MLAs, excluding the 10 tribal legislators, to unite and take firm action to resolve the ongoing crisis. “If they fail to act decisively, the government will bear the brunt of the people’s anger and discontent,” Athouba warned.

In response to the calls for resignation, the opposition Congress, which holds five seats in the Assembly, has stated that the people of Manipur do not support the imposition of the President’s Rule. The party has also rejected demands for the resignation of its MLAs and MPs, with veteran Congress leader Okram Ibobi Singh asserting that such demands are merely an attempt to divert attention from the real crisis.

Okram Ibobi Singh, a former three-term Chief Minister of Manipur, expressed his willingness to resign if it would help resolve the ethnic violence but emphasized that resignations alone would not bring peace. He called on both the central and state governments to work together with all communities, civil society organizations, and political parties to restore peace and normalcy in the state.

“The responsibility of restoring peace lies with both the Central and state governments, and all stakeholders must be involved in this process,” Singh said. He also stated that the imposition of the President’s Rule would not be supported by the people of Manipur and that any decision regarding the resignation or replacement of the Chief Minister was an internal matter for the BJP to decide.

The political turmoil in Manipur continues to deepen as ethnic tensions remain high, with calls for stronger action to address the violence and instability. As the state grapples with these challenges, all eyes are on the upcoming NDA MLAs’ meeting and the potential steps that may follow.

For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.

The post Manipur CM calls NDA MLAs’ meeting after NPP withdraws support amid growing ethnic violence appeared first on PGurus.