News Brief
Manipur: Ten NDA MLAs Meet Governor Bhalla, Claim Support Of 44 Legislators For Return Of 'Popular' Government
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla
A group of ten NDA legislators met Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla at Raj Bhavan on Wednesday (28 May), stating they had backing from 44 MLAs to restore a popular government in state, Indian Express reported.
Among the 10 MLAs were BJP’s Radheshyam Singh (Yumnam and Thockchom), Rameshwar Meitei, Arunkumar, Raghumani Singh, Robindro Singh, Brojen Singh; NPP’s Hassan and Janghemliung; and Independent Sapam Nishikanta.
Nine are from the Meitei-majority Valley, while one is a Naga.
“We went and gave the opinion of 44 MLAs – given the way things have gone and the pressure from the public, we expressed to the Governor that it’s the right time to install a popular government. President’s Rule is an emergency move, and it should be the last option. If the new popular government fails, you can reimpose President’s Rule again in full throttle,” Thockchom Radheshyam Singh, one of the 10 MLAs, was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
He said they invoked the support of all the MLAs in the Manipur Legislative Assembly except the 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs and five Congress MLAs.
The Manipur Legislative Assembly has 60 seats, of which one is vacant owing to the death of an MLA.
Their April 29 letter stated that since President’s Rule began on 13 February, peace efforts were lacking, and that only a popular government could restore stability in Manipur.
“We also handed over that letter to the Governor to say that we had already written to the Prime Minister on this issue. All 44 MLAs are united in favour of the formation of a popular government in the state. We have to respect the demand from the public. We have not proposed the name of any individual to lead the government. The Centre can select a leader of its choosing. We had a very long discussion on the road ahead with the Governor, and he said that he would look into the matter,” said Radheshyam.
Sheikh Noorul Hassan also stated that they have the support of 44 MLAs on the formation of a popular government.
L Susindro Meitei, a Biren Singh loyalist, reportedly said he was unaware of the move and questioned the appropriateness of bypassing the legislative party leader. However, he acknowledged that the concerns raised were valid.
