44 MLAs ready to form new govt in Manipur: Radheshyam
Imphal: Forty-four legislators are ready to form a new govt in the state, BJP legislator Thokchom Radheshyam told the media after meeting governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla here on Wednesday.
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Manipur is under President's Rule since Feb after N Biren Singh resigned as the chief minister, amid criticism about his govt's handling of the ethnic clashes between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zos.
These 44 MLAs inlcude 30 of 37 BJP legislators, including Biren Singh, all six NPP legislators, all five NPF members, lone JD(U) member and two of three Independents. The seven BJP legislators belonging to the Kuki-Zo community are not part of this group.
The 60-member assembly at present has 59 MLAs, with one seat vacant due to the death of a legislator, N Kayisii, who represented Tadubi constituency. The opposition comprises five Congress members. Besdies, there are two members of Kuki People's Alliance and an Indpendent, all of them belonging to the Kuki-Zo community, in the opposition.
"We have conveyed this to the governor that as per the wishes of the people, forty-four MLAs are ready to form a govt.
We also discussed what solutions can be there for the issue," he said, adding, the governor expressed hope that he would initiate action in the best interests of the people.
Asked if they would stake a claim to form govt, he said, "The central leadership of the BJP will take the decision."
He revealed that speaker Th Satyabrata has 'individually' and 'jointly' met the 44 MLAs and that there is no one who opposes the formation of a new govt.
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"We are ready to stake claim to form govt," Thokchom said.
"People had faced so many hardships. In the previous term, two years were lost due to COVID, and in this term, another two years have been lost due to the conflict,' he said.
Independent legislator Sapam Nishikanta Singh also told the media that 44 MLAs are ready to form a new govt. Nishikanta also met governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla along with nine other MLAs.
The development comes amid intense protests in the Imphal Valley over an order to conceal 'Manipur' written on the windshield of a govt bus by security forces.
Meitei groups have demanded an official apology from the governor over the incident that happened in Gwaltabi on May 20. They have also sought the resignation of the chief secretary, DGP, and security advisor.
Over 250 people have lost their lives since the ethnic strife broke out in the state in May 3, 2023.
Meitei groups maintain that the territorial integrity of the state is non-negotiable in any peace process, while the Kuki-Zo community asserts that the only solution to resolve the crisis is creating a separate administration for the hill districts where they live.
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