No crisis in Govt, BJP, says CM Biren
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 21 2023:
22-04-2023 People's Chronicle News
Amidst speculation of conflict brewing up in the BJP government led by CM N Biren, a meeting of the BJP legislative party was held at the Nityaipat Chuthek office of BJP Manipur Pradesh, here, on Friday.
CM N Biren Singh, however, has categorically stated that there is no crisis in his government and that the meeting was conducted to discuss holding a grand celebration in connection with the 100 days of PM Narendra Modi's "Mann Ki Baat" in the state.
Responding to queries raised by reporters on his way out after attending the meeting which was presided over by BJP Manipur Pradesh president A Sharda, chief minister Biren said that the meeting was convened to prepare for celebration of the 100th episode of "Mann Ki Baat" in Manipur.
He said that the event will be organised at Loktak Lake in a grand manner along with organising the event in all the assembly constituencies across the state.
On being asked as to why some of the BJP MLAs failed to turn up at the meeting, CM N Biren said that one minister has taken approval for an official visit to Indore while another three MLAs have informed of leaving the state for medical treatment outside the state.
"That's all, there is no crisis in the party and everyone has attended the meeting," he added.
On the other hand, president A Sharda told this daily that the party has strength of 37 legislators.
While three MLAs have not informed anything about their participation in the meeting, five other MLAs including Th Radheshyam, Kh Raghumani, Karam Shyam, Md Ashab Uddin and S Kebi are outside the state for medical treatment and hence not present in the meeting.
Minister Th Biswajit is also on an official visit to Indore and could not take part in the meeting.
She further informed that dissatisfaction in a government is natural and all such issues are resolved internally.
Therefore, the meeting held on Friday provided opportunities to all present to point out their grievances, if any, consult within the party and solve them without going on social media unnecessarily.
Maintaining that there is no issue within the party, the BJP state president confided that she had urged all legislators of the party to sort out any outstanding differences within the party.
"There is no question of taking up disciplinary action against any party MLAs.
All decisions will be taken according to the instructions of the national leaders, she added.
The meeting assumes significance in wake of three party legislators resigning from administrative posts.
BJP MLA Paonam Brojen on Thursday became the third legislator to resign from an administrative post.
He gave up the chairmanship of Manipur Development Society on "personal grounds" .
BJP legislator Karam Shyam resigned on Monday from the chairmanship of Tourism Corporation Manipur Limited complaining that he had "not been assigned any responsibility" .
On April 8, another MLA Thokchom Radheshyam quit as the advisor to the chief minister citing a similar grievance.
Reports have been published that the four BJP MLAs are currently camping in Delhi to meet the party's central leadership and voice their grievances.
Their moves have caused speculation that dissension was brewing in the Biren-led BJP government.
However, party sources said, "Friday's meeting was a routine normal gathering of the elected legislators and party members to discuss issues involving the state BJP and that the timing of the meeting with that of the recent political development was just coincidental" .