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Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
After huddle, 23 Manipur BJP MLAs ‘resolve' to form ‘popular' govt
Twenty-three BJP MLAs of Manipur held a meeting Friday, after which they issued a statement saying that they 'resolved to put aside personal ambitions' in the 'larger interest' of working towards the formation of a popular government in the state, which has been under President's rule since February 13 with the state Assembly being in suspended animation. The BJP has a total of 37 MLAs in the 60-member Manipur Assembly, of whom seven are from the Kuki-Zo community and were not a part of the Friday meeting. While the signatories of its statement did not include former chief minister N Biren Singh or Speaker Th. Satyabrata Singh, they included party MLAs who had rebelled against Biren as well as those who had backed him till his resignation on February 9. Satyabrata Singh had been one of the major dissidents against Biren Singh. This meeting came two days after a group of 10 NDA MLAs met Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla in the Imphal Raj Bhavan on May 28, claiming that they have the support of 44 MLAs for the formation of a popular government in the state. 'Acknowledging the deep public desire to see the formation of a popular government, we discussed pathways to achieve this with unity and selflessness. We resolved to put aside personal ambitions in the larger interest of the state, its people, and the vision of the BJP and its alliance partners in Manipur,' said a statement issued after the meeting. It also stated, 'As elected representatives, we are united in our firm belief that a long-term solution to the crisis is both possible and necessary… we thoroughly examined mechanisms for inclusive dialogue involving representatives of all communities in Manipur. We strongly support the establishment of a neutral dialogue platform to facilitate constructive mediation between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, aimed at building trust and consensus on critical issues.' It also stated that the idea of approaching the Governor or the BJP central leadership to appoint a 'neutral peace envoy or a panel of eminent persons, comprising voices from both within and outside Manipur' was proposed in the meeting. The statement also emphasised on the need for 'inter-community people-to-people dialogue at the grassroots level' and for the recovery of looted weapons 'both in the hills and valley.' Manipur has been roiled by a conflict between Meiteis and Kuki-Zos since May 3, 2023, which has killed over 250 people and left tens of thousands homeless.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
In Manipur, push for a return to popular government is understandable
Since the imposition of President's Rule in Manipur on February 13, the state assembly has remained in suspended animation, following the BJP's failure to reach a consensus on a successor to former chief minister N Biren Singh. As the assembly has not been dissolved, it retains the possibility of being revived when the prevailing conditions allow for the formation of a government. Reflecting growing discontent with the present standstill, a group of 10 NDA MLAs met Governor Ajay Bhalla at Raj Bhavan on Wednesday, urging the formation of a 'popular government' in the state. They claimed the support of 44 legislators in the 60-member Assembly (one seat currently lies vacant). However, the revocation of President's Rule appears unlikely in the near future — almost 25 months into the ethnic conflict, it is telling that peace remains the immediate priority, not government formation. On April 29, the same 10 MLAs, along with 11 other NDA legislators, had written to the Centre with a similar demand. Their push for a return to a popular government is understandable — after all, the BJP won a mandate in the 2022 Assembly election. The difficulty, however, lies in the nature of the proposed arrangement, which does not include representation for the Kuki-Zo communities. By their own admission, those who claim the support of 44 MLAs have not included the 10 Kuki-Zomi MLAs — seven of whom were elected on BJP tickets. The supposed consensus behind the push for a return of popular government, thus, reflects a consensus among the Meiteis, but not between the Meiteis and Kukis. The Centre's hesitation to revoke President's Rule acknowledges the persisting instability in the state — illustrated by the unrest in Imphal less than two weeks ago between protesters and security forces, over the alleged instructions to cover the word 'Manipur' on a state-run transport bus (Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh has expressed regret and announced an inquiry into the incident). While there is some consolation in the fact that there has been no violent standoff between the two communities in recent weeks, significant challenges remain — of rebuilding trust, addressing grievances, and tackling the structural issues that lie at the heart of the conflict. An estimated 3,000 looted weapons remain un-recovered. Thousands of displaced persons remain in relief camps. Kukis and Meiteis continue to be segregated between hill and valley. Only an inclusive political process that brings all stakeholders to the table can offer a path to lasting peace. Without such a process, even a well-intentioned return to a popular government risks another cycle of violence.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Around 10 NDA MLAs met Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan, seeking the formation of a "popular" government in the state
Guwahati: Around 10 NDA MLAs met Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan on Wednesday, seeking the formation of a "popular" government in the state. The delegation included MLAs from the Naga People's Front (NPF) and National People's Party (NPP). Manipur has been under the President's rule since February 13. Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh is in New Delhi to meet the BJP leadership. The MLAs while meeting the governor also submitted a list of 22 MLAs who are in support of formation of a government in the state. Independent MLA of Keishamthong assembly constituency S Nishikant Singh told media persons in Imphal, 'It has been three and a half months that President's rule is imposed in Manipur and a majority of people want a popular government to be installed.' He added, 'We discussed the functioning of the President's rule and the issue of law and order with the governor.' Expressing optimism that a popular government will be formed soon, he said, 'We are appealing to the governor to form a popular government and a lot of MLAs have signed the letter. For the sake of Manipur, all the NDA MLAs Manipur are keen on having a popular government. To have a smooth formation of the government, we need the support of the public also. The letter which we gave to the governor today is the same letter we gave to Prime minister Narendra Modi earlier.' Confirming the move, BJP MLA Thokchom Radheshyam Singh said that they are ready to form the next state government. "We informed the governor that 44 MLAs are ready. We also discussed possible solutions to the ongoing issues in the state," said Singh. Live Events This comes a day after former chief minister N Biren Singh met the governor at Raj Bhavan. With BJP failing to find a consensus candidate for the chief ministerial candidate, President's rule was imposed in Manipur, four days after chief minister N Biren Singh, who was heading a BJP-led government for the second term, resigned on February 9. A senior BJP leader, who did not want to be named, said, 'There are too many candidates in the fray for the chief ministership. Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh and former minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh were vying for the CM post.' The BJP leader further said that two former ministers, including Th Biswajit and Govindas Konthoujam were also in the race. Over 260 people were killed, more than 1,500 injured, and over 70,000 people displaced after the ethnic violence broke out between the Meitei and the Kuki-Zo people on May 3, 2023, after a 'Tribal Solidarity March', organised in the hill districts to protest the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status. Former chief minister's security downgraded Manipur Police has scaled down the security assigned to the former chief minister N Biren Singh. A total of 17 police personnel in Singh's security have been detached from their duties. The order, signed by the Director General of Police , instructed these personnel to report back to their parent units immediately. Now only six security personnel will remain with the former CM. This team will comprise three assistant sub-inspectors, one head constable, and two constables. However, he will continue to remain covered under the 'Z' category and will continue to have four to six CAPF personnel with him. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Officials: ‘Z-Plus' status of ex-Manipur CM intact
Imphal: The Manipur administration on Wednesday refuted claims of a security downgrade for former chief minister N Biren Singh , clarifying that only surplus personnel deployed with him have been recalled, officials said. They said Singh continues to enjoy 'Z-plus' security cover, a categorisation that mandates robust protection which includes a pilot and a protection vehicle at rear besides static guards at home. The officials were responding to some media reports that reported a downgrade in the former CM's security. According to officials, Singh continues to be guarded round-the-clock by the Central Industrial Security Force . Under standard protocol, a 'Z plus' protectee is entitled to six personal security officers provided by the respective state or Union Territory police. However, during a recent security audit, it was found that during his tenure as chief minister, Singh had 23 police personnel assigned to his security detail. Following this audit, 17 excess personnel were immediately asked to report to their parent units, the officials said. Manipur has been under President's rule since Feb, following Singh's resignation as CM which came amid widespread criticism regarding his govt's handling of the ethnic clashes that erupted in May 2023. The violence, which has claimed the lives of over 260 people and displaced thousands, has primarily pitted Imphal valley-based Meiteis against Kuki-Zo groups, predominantly residing in the hill areas. The Centre has subsequently placed the state assembly, whose term ends in 2027, under suspended animation. PTI
India Gazette
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"We expect formation of popular government to happen soon": Manipur MLA Sapam Nishikanta
Imphal (Manipur) [India], May 28 (ANI): Moments after meeting Governor Ajay Bhalla, Manipur's Independent MLA Sapam Nishikanta Singh on Wednesday stated that all NDA legislators wanted a popular government in the state. Speaking to mediapersons, Singh appealed to the Governor to form a popular government in Manipur, which was under President's rule since February 13, after the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh. 'The majority of people want a popular government installed, and that is the reason we came here to meet the Governor. We also discussed other things, like the functioning of the President's rule may not be the same after the formation of a popular government. Primarily and basically, the main point was the formation of a popular government. The response of the Governor was also nice,' Singh said. Ten MLAs, including eight BJP, one NPP, and one Independent MLA, staked a claim to form a government in Manipur. 'We expect the formation of the popular government to happen soon. We are appealing to the Governor that we want a popular government. We have also given a paper to the Governor that all of us have signed. All NDA MLAs in Manipur are very keen to have a popular government installed. We want the support of the public as well. The paper we gave had around 22 signatures. 10 MLAs have come here to meet the Governor,' he added. On February 13, President Droupadi Murmu imposed President's Rule in Manipur after receiving a report from the state Governor. The decision, exercised under Article 356 of the Constitution, means that the state's administrative functions will now be directly controlled by the President through the Governor. The proclamation, published in the Gazette of India issued by the Union Home Ministry, states that the powers of the Manipur Legislative Assembly will be transferred to Parliament, effectively suspending the state government's authority. Under this order, the Governor's powers will now be exercised by the President; the state legislature's authority will be assumed by Parliament; and specific articles of the Constitution, including those concerning legislative procedures and governance, have been suspended to ensure smooth central administration. President's Rule is typically imposed when a state government is deemed incapable of functioning as per constitutional norms. The move follows political instability and law-and-order concerns in Manipur. The suspension of legislative powers means that all state laws and decisions will now be made under central authority, either by Parliament or the President. The imposition of President's Rule can last up to six months, subject to parliamentary approval. During this period, the central government will oversee governance, and fresh elections may be called to elect a new assembly. The move came days after N Biren Singh resigned from his position as the Chief Minister of Manipur on February 9. His resignation came amid prolonged ethnic violence and political instability that had plagued the state for nearly two years. The unrest in Manipur primarily involved clashes between the majority Meitei community and the minority Kuki-Zomi tribes. Tensions escalated over disputes related to economic benefits, job quotas, and land rights. The violence resulted in hundreds of fatalities and displaced approximately 60,000 individuals. (ANI)
