No NPP Minister would be removed: Conrad
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 31 2020:
NPP National president and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has exuded confidence that no NPP Minister would be removed from the BJP-led coalition Government of the State.
Speaking to media persons at the residence of NPP State general secretary Khuraijam Lukhoi at Yumnam Huidrom Thiyam Leishankhong today, Conrad Sangma said that reports about possible removal of NPP Ministers from the Council of Ministers is based on speculations.
In a coalition Government, it is only natural for the majority to demand some more Ministerial berths but running a coalition Government is a tricky task, Conrad Sangma said.
NPP and BJP joined hands to form the incumbent Government with a mutual commitment to work together under a formula for five years, he said.
BJP Central leaders as well as Chief Minister N Biren told NPP that the commitment is for five years, said the NPP president.
"We know there have been certain political developments as well as political pressure in Manipur but there is no valid reason for BJP to remove NPP Ministers from the Council of Ministers.
We are confident that BJP would not betray its own commitment", Conrad Sangma said.
To a query, Conrad Sangma said that the question of disqualifying Congress MLAs who have been supporting the BJP-led coalition Government should be decided by the Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker.
Nonetheless, NPP has discussed the matter minutely in view of the Supreme Court's recent ruling, he said.
"We will wait and see the next developments.
If the particular Congress MLAs are disqualified, there would be certain changes in the political scenario of Manipur", said the Meghalaya Chief Minister.
In case the question of by-election arises, NPP would study the political situation thoroughly and take independent decisions on which constituencies the party would field its candidates, Conrad Sangma said.
Nonetheless, NPP would definitely consult coalition partners of the Government of Manipur, particularly BJP Central leaders in case any constituency of the State must go for by-election, he continued.
He said that trust and commitment count a lot in politics.
To another query, Conrad Sangma said that just as the BJP-led coalition Government at the Centre is named National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government, the coalition Government of Manipur should have a name.
He said that there is a coalition Government in Meghalaya too and it is named Meghalaya Democratic Alliance.
At the time of forming the coalition (Meghalaya) Government, a coordination committee comprising of legislators of coalition partners and their party presidents was set up.
Likewise, the coalition Government of Manipur must have a definite structure, said the Meghalaya Chief Minister.
On his visit to the State, Conrad Sangma said that he came here to discuss different political issues of Manipur with NPP legislators, party president and workers.
The recent Supreme Court's ruling on disqualification of some Congress MLAs has been studied minutely with NPP legislators.
Moreover, a meeting has been held with NPP supporters and workers on strengthening the party ahead of the next Manipur Legislative Assembly election which is due in 2022, he said.
NPP has also decided to go to Delhi to discuss different issues with the new BJP Central leadership.
NPP has been declared as a National political party.
It has now been recognised as the 8th National political party of the country and it is the only National political party in the country which has its origin in the North East, Conrad Sangma said.
A new party office would be opened at Delhi soon and a huge public rally would be organised on March 4 at Tura, Meghalaya as a part of the death anniversary function of late NPP leader PA Sangma, he said.
NPP State president Thangminlen Kipgen and general secretary Kh Loken were also present at the press meet.
Conrad Sangma will go to Nagaland by road tomorrow where he would hold a meeting of Nagaland NPP leaders before heading to Shillong.
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