
Former Manipur CM Biren Singh hints at formation of popular government soon
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Guwahati: Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday said that the central leaders of the BJP are assessing the situation and said that efforts are on to form a popular government in the state.Manipur has been under President's rule for the past over four months. 'I am hopeful that a new government will be formed in Manipur soon,' Singh told the media on the sidelines of a book release programme at the BJP state headquarters in Imphal.He said that the BJP is a national party, and after looking into the ground situation and assessing all other aspects, the new government would be formed at the earliest.'BJP and its ally parties all wanted a popular government in Manipur to effectively deal with the situation in the state,' said Singh, who resigned from the Chief Ministerial post on February 9, four days before the promulgation of President's Rule on February 13.The former Chief Minister said that many leaders and organisations have approached the Central government and all stakeholders to evolve an amicable solution and restore peace and normalcy in the state.He said that the central government has been working around the clock to restore peace and normalcy in the state and added that Manipur has not witnessed any communal violence for the last seven to eight months, indicating a gradual return to peace and normalcy.'Illegal migrants and unlawful drug menaces have affected the entire northeast, including Manipur. Gradually, one and all have come to understand this vital threat,' Singh reiterated.BJP Manipur state President Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi also said that efforts are underway to restore a democratically elected government in the state.Former Chief Minister Singh earlier said that he and BJP's Rajya Sabha Member from the state, Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi earlier this month and urged his intervention to restore normalcy in the state.BJP's Northeast India In-charge Sambit Patra also last month visited the state's Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts and met Kuki BJP MLAs Vungzagin Valte and Nemcha Kipgen and several Kuki-Zo and civil society organisations, including the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU).Patra also met Biren Singh and other leaders in Imphal. The 60-member Manipur Assembly, which, after the promulgation of President's Rule on February 13, has been put under suspended animation, has a tenure till 2027.

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