21 Manipur NDA MLAs seek 'popular govt' in state

Guwahati: A group of 21 NDA legislators of Manipur on Tuesday submitted letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, seeking establishment of a ‘popular govt' to restore peace and normality in the state which is under President's rule since Feb 13.

The MLAs said Manipur had welcomed imposition of President's Rule "with lots of hopes and expectations" but even after more than two months, "no visible action to bring peace and normalcy in the state is seen so far."

Stating there is a strong apprehension among the common people that violence may re-occur, these MLAs conveyed to Modi and Shah that many civil society organizations have now come out openly against the imposition of President's Rule and have been demanding installation of a popular govt in the state.

"These organizations have started organizing public rallies, street corner meetings instigating the general public, blaming the ruling MLAs for not staking claim to form a popular govt and fixing responsibility for imposition of President's Rule in Manipur," they added.

The group includes 13 MLAs from BJP, three each from National People's Party (NPP) and Naga People's Front (NPF) and two independents.

Former chief minister N Biren Singh and some MLAs known close to him are not among the signatories. Also, BJP's seven MLAs belonging to the Kuki-Zo community are not among the signatories.

The state assembly currently has 59 members of which 37 are from BJP, six from NPP, five from NPF, five from Congress, two from Kuki People's Alliance, one from JD(U) and three Independents. One seat is vacant following the death of an MLA.

President's Rule was imposed after the NDA failed to elect a leader to succeed Biren Singh following his resignation as the chief minister of the state amid the ethnic conflicts between Meiteis and Kuki-Zos since May, 2023, resulting in over 260 casualties and over 50,000 displaced people. The state assembly also is currently in suspended animation.

The legislators also assured the two national leaders that they "will work with full dedication and devotion to bring peace and normalcy in our state after installation of a popular government."

Manipur Congress chief Keisham Meghachandra Singh criticised the MLAs for circumventing the governor.

"These legislators, who should have gone to Raj Bhavan in Imphal to stake claim a formation of a new govt, had chosen to write not to the Governor. Instead, they chose to write to the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister. The state is placed under President's Rule. Their actions show that they are not serious about meeting the Governor to stake claim to the new government in Manipur," Meghachandra posted on X.

He added, "The mandate of the people of Manipur can't be played for their political conveniences. The people of Manipur want a change. The people of Manipur want a new alternative. We must honour the new alternative and the change that the people of Manipur will bring for our better future."