Imphal: BJP MLA Th. Radheshyam on Wednesday said that 44 MLAs, excluding the five from the Congress party, are prepared to form a new popular government in Manipur.
Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February 13, following the resignation of N. Biren Singh as chief minister on February 9. His resignation came amid the pressures from both Meitei civil society groups and Kuki-Zo organizations, who expressed dissatisfaction with his leadership in addressing their respective concerns. Around 10 MLAs met Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to formally inform him of the support for a new government, Radheshyam told reporters outside the gate of the Raj Bhavan complex, here.
Manipur Legislative Assembly has a total of 60 seats including five from Congress. Among the remaining, 10 MLAs from the Kuki-Zo community including seven from the BJP have been demanding a separate administration in the form of a Union Territory.
“Two years of COVID and two years of crisis (Meitei-Kuki conflict) have caused immense suffering in the state. A popular government is needed as people wish,” Radheshyam said.
It was not revealed who will be the leader of the new government. Replying to reporters, Radheshyam said the formation of the new government and its day depend on their leader’s instructions. The development came up amid people’s outrage against alleged failure of PR governance to settle issues of threatening the integrity of Manipur, instead threatens the identity of the state that has been registered with the army’s dictate to remove “Manipur” form the signage of a state bus on May 20 at Gwaltabi in Imphal East.
Many have linked the incident with the Meitei-Kuki crisis that threatens the unity of Manipur. Meitei groups have been demanding decisive action against Kuki groups, accusing them of terrorizing the Meitei populace. Some members of the Kuki-Zo community and their political representatives have been demanding a separate administrative setup, citing mistrust and ethnic conflict.
The Kuki-Zo community continues to face allegations of involvement in illegal drug trade and poppy cultivation, often in violation of forest laws, a claim their leaders have repeatedly denied. Former Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh, also met the Governor at Raj Bhavan on Tuesday evening and deliberated on a range of issues in the state.
