Imphal: Bharatiya Janata Party, Northeast in-charge, Sambit Patra arrived Imphal on Monday for his two-day visit to Manipur to hold meetings with BJP legislators in Manipur.
Hiss visit was made nearly two months and 23 days after the central government imposed President’s Rule in the state, placing it under suspended animation following N. Biren Singh’s resignation as chief minister on February 9.
Patra landed in Imphal on a chartered flight around 8:20 am and departed for Churachandpur by helicopter at approximately 9:55 am.
Patra met with some Kuki-Zo MLAs in Churachandpur and also spoke to two other MLAs over the phone, sources said.
Ten Kuki-Zo MLAs, including seven from the BJP, have been demanding a Separate Administration for Kuki-Zo in the form of Union Territory to resolve the ethnic crisis in Manipur.
After he returned to Imphal, Patra headed directly to the residence of former chief minister N. Biren Singh at Luwangshangbam, Imphal for a closed-door meeting. He later visited the residence of Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata at Brahmapur Aribam Leikai, Imphal West, where BJP MLA L. Rameshwor and NPP MLA Sheikh Noorul Hassan joined the discussion.
Before Singh’s resignation in February, a series of closed-door meetings had taken place at Hotel Imphal involving Patra, several BJP legislators, and the state BJP president. Singh stepped down on February 9 amid intensifying internal party conflicts shortly after returning from New Delhi alongside Patra.
In a recent political push, 21 ruling MLAs submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, calling for the restoration of a popular government, suspended since February 13. One of the signatory MLAs warned that the group has the backing of 32 legislators and may claim the right to form the government after May 15 if no positive response is received from the Centre.
MLA L. Rameshwor, speaking at an event in Kiyamgei, Imphal West, said, “Manipur will witness the formation of a popular government before May end. I appeal to all MLAs to unite in support of this effort.”
In the evening, Patra held another closed-door meeting at Hotel Imphal with several ruling MLAs, including Sapam Kunjakeshore, Karam Shyam, S. Premchandra, L. Susindro, Th. Shyamkumar, Dinganglung Gangmei (all BJP), and Naga People’s Front (NPF) MLAs Awangbow Newmai, Khashim Vashum, and Leishiyo Keishing.
After the meeting, MLA Kh. Ibomcha told reporters, “We urged Sambit to ensure free movement along all highways in Manipur. That was our only agenda.” When asked about formation of a popular government, he replied, “We were not part of the 21 signatories, so we don’t know.”
As of filling this report, none of the 21 signatory MLAs had arrived at Hotel Imphal, though a source said they are expected to meet Patra during his visit.
Sambit Patra was expected to travel to Kangpokpi on Tuesday.
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