Sambit Patra to meet BIP MLAs, ministers today
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 26 2023:
Amid the voices of dissent against chief minister N Biren, especially after four BJP MLAs resigned from their respective administrative posts in different government agencies, BJP national spokesperson and Manipur in-charge Sambit Patra arrived here on a two-day visit on Wednesday.
According to informed sources, the BJP leader called on Governor Anusuiya Uikey soon after his arrival and held discussion on several issues including political development in the state.
Earlier, BJP Manipur Pradesh president A Sharda, ministers Nemcha Kipgen, Awangbow Newmai and Khashim Vashum along with the party's office bearers accorded warm welcome to the BJP leader at Imphal international airport.
Later, in the evening, Sambit Patra chaired a meeting of BJP Manipur Pradesh office bearers and district presidents wherein he held discussion on issues related with party's organisation as well as the 2024 Lok Sabha election.
He also discussed proposal of conducting the next Mann Ki Baat programme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Loktak Lake.
Sambit Patra will chair a meeting with BJP MLAs and ministers on Thursday morning at the party office.
During the meeting, he will discuss the latest political development within the party following the resignation of four MLAs from different posts.
Mention may be made that BJP Manipur Pradesh president A Sharda had also held a meeting of BJP legislators recently in the wake of a resignation spree by BJP MLAs.
Meanwhile, BJP Manipur Pradesh general secretary L Deben Singh has issued a notice asking all the ministers and MLAs to attend the meeting on Thursday to discuss all issues.
CM N Biren, Sampit Patra, who is also party's northeast coordinator, BJP state president A Sharda Devi and senior state party leaders would attend the meeting, Deben Singh said.
A party leader said the meeting on Thursday has been called following the directions of the party's central leaders.
Several MLAs and state leaders are annoyed with the Chief Minister for his" style of functioning and governance".
Earlier, BJP legislators Thokchom Radheshyam and Karam Shyam had quit as Chief Minister's advisor, and Chairman of the Manipur State Tourism Development Corporation respectively.
Expressing his resentment against the Chief Minister, on April 13, Radheshyam had quit as the CM's advisor.
He and Karam Shyam had served as ministers in the first Biren Singh-led government (2017-2022) .
On April 17, Karam Shyam resigned from the post of chairman of the Manipur State Tourism Development Corporation while bureaucrat-turned-politician Raghumani Singh and Paonam Brojen Singh quit from the posts of Chairman, Manipur Renewable Energy Development Agency and Manipur Development Society, respectively, earlier this month.
In a video clip, Karam Shyam had said: "A leader should be committed and sincere instead of threatening the followers.
If such threats occur frequently, then the eruption of a revolt among the followers is a must.
Manipur is becoming a corruption-free state, but in corruption, only the giver and the taker will know" .
Sources in the know of things said that a few more disgruntled BJP MLAs are likely to quit their respective government posts.
The aggrieved legislators include a few Kuki MLAs, who are reportedly unhappy with an eviction drive targeting the community.
Chief Minister Biren had claimed earlier this week that there are no differences of opinion and resentment among the legislators.
Winning 32 seats in the 60-member Assembly, the BJP retained power for a second consecutive term in last year's polls.
(with inputs from IANS) .