BJP concerned over Ningthoukhong MC row
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 31 2013: Conten-ding that the Congress Govt is trying to dissolve the Ningthoukhong Municipal Council in a ploy to protect the Council's chairperson and the vice chairperson, who have been reduced to minority in the 14-member council, Manipur Pradesh BJP spokesperson Prof S Tikendra termed the Government's alleged attempt as violation of democratic norms.

Speaking to newspersons today, Prof Tikendra claimed that the Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson have been colluding with the Government of Manipur to continue exercising the power in the Council.

Recounting that eight BJP Councillors had on January 24 raised a no confidence motion on the ground that the Chairperson and the Vice-Chairperson lacked financial and administrative transparencies, the spokesperson cited delaying tactics by bureaucrats concerned for the eventual cancellation of notification for a special meeting scheduled on March 5 to discuss the no confidence motion.

With the eight BJP councillors unwilling to relent from being denied justice a case was filed in the Manipur High Court on March 16 resulting in the court's directive that the Council's executive officer consult the Deputy Commissioner, Bishnupur for suitable date to discuss the no confidence motion, explained Prof Tikendra.

Despite Court ruling, the Government had been working to dissolve the Council and this was clearly evident in the submission by the senior Government advocate to the High Court, claimed the spokesperson further pointing out that dissolving the Council by invoking Manipur Municipal Council Act 1994 Section 205 testifies that the Government has no political moral commitment to upholding democratic norms.

He also asserted that the BJP is open to exploring other legal mechanism for ensuring that justice prevails and the guilty persons face the penalty for financial irregularities.

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