Rebel MLAs still hopeful of leadership change
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 18 2019:
Although it has been several weeks since they revolted against the leadership of Chief Minister N Biren without achieving anything tangible so far, the rebel MLAs are still hopeful the incumbent Government's leadership would be changed after a BJP Government is set up in Karnataka.
One rebel who is currently camping at Delhi told The Sangai Express, on condition of anonymity, that 14 MLAs have not yet changed their mind on their demand for change of leadership.
"Even though the rebellion for change of leadership is several weeks old and we have met many Central leaders, none of them ever told us to negotiate with Chief Minister N Biren", said the rebel MLA.
There has been no invitation from N Biren too for any negotiation which only testifies that the revolt for change of leadership is based on solid grounds, he claimed.
Nonetheless, some people came to the rebel MLAs with offers for Cabinet berths although it was not clear whether those men were sent by N Biren or not, he conveyed.
Saying they are still confident that the rebellion for replacing Chief Minister N Biren would end in success, the rebel MLA said they have been urging the Central leaders to take up necessary action without waiting for the end of the current Parliament session as the State Assembly's monsoon session is due shortly.
Yet the Central leaders have been maintaining that they cannot act on the State Government's internal crisis until the Parliament session is over.
The Governor too once stated that the Central leaders would take up certain actions after the Parliament session is over.
Likewise, the party's Central office too stated that if there must be any intervention to the crisis, it would be only after the Parliament session is over, claimed the MLA.
If there is change of leadership, the existing Council of Ministers would definitely undergo marked changes.
In the meantime, it appears that NPP and NPF have reconciled with BJP regarding their partnership in the coalition Government.
If there is change of leadership, there would be changes in the number of Cabinet berths given to NPP and NPF.
Notably, NPP has four Cabinet Ministers while NPF has one in the coalition Government, added the rebel MLA.