Dissenting voice grows more audible, many search for 'right button to press'
Satyabrata, Khemchand meet BL Santhosh
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 03 2024: With the Government unable to work out a solution to the protracted violent crisis which erupted on May 3, 2023 or restore peace in the State, and as a result of Chief Minister N Biren's alleged partisan attitude, the polarisation between BJP MLAs/Ministers who support N Biren and those who don't is becoming more pronounced.

Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata and MAHUD and RD&PR Minister Yumnam Khemchand held separate meetings with BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) BL Santhosh at Delhi on Monday.

BL Santhosh first met Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata before he held another meeting with Yumnam Khemchand.

Even though what exactly transpired during the two meetings could not be ascertained, the meetings deliberated on the erosion of people's faith in BJP as a political party and the BJP Government because of the Government's failure to bring a solution to the 19 months old Manipur crisis, sources said.

The meetings also discussed the growing dissent and grievances against Chief Minister N Biren's leadership and the way he has been handling the crisis.

Notably, there are 37 BJP MLAs in the current 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly including 32 MLAs who were elected on BJP tickets and five MLAs who were elected as JD(U) candidates but later joined BJP.

The total 37 BJP MLAs include seven Kuki MLAs who are openly advocating a Separate Administration for Kuki-Zo people.

After the violent crisis erupted on May 3, 2023, the seven Kuki MLAs, two of whom are Cabinet Ministers, have no communication with the Government thereby posing serious hurdles to the State's development works.

Some other BJP MLAs including Cabinet Minister Y Khemchand have serious grievances against the leadership of Chief Minister N Biren and have spoken out openly against the Chief Minister.

It has been quite some time since Y Khemchand stopped attending meetings and Government functions presided by Chief Minister N Biren.

Khemchand has not been attending even Cabinet meetings and there is little or no communication between him and Chief Minister N Biren on development works.

In the absence of Y Khemchand, N Biren has been looking after the works of MAHUD as well as RD&PR.

Works related to Kuki Ministers Letpao Haokip (Horticulture & Soil Conservation and Tribal Affairs & Hills) and Nemcha Kipgen (Textiles, Commerce & Industries and Cooperation) are also taken care of by the Chief Minister.

Recently, PDA Chairman L Rameshwar too spoke out in public against the leadership of N Biren.

Construction works undertaken by PDA are also being looked after by N Biren in the absence of Rameshwar, said the sources.

With the BJP MLAs sharply divided between those who support N Biren and those who oppose his leadership, the two groups are wooing MLAs to their respective camps.

Although Speaker Th Satyabrata reportedly went to Delhi for medical treatment, MLAs and Ministers including Satyabrata who are dissenting against Chief Minister N Biren have been holding a series of meetings at Delhi and discussing several key issues of the State including the protracted crisis, said the sources.

Notably, Speaker Th Satyabrata, MLA Kongkham Robindro and MLA L Rameshwar left Imphal for Delhi on December 1.Many BJP MLAs including Th Satyabrata (Yaiskul AC), Y Khemchand (Singjamei AC), Th Radheshyam (Heirok AC), Dr Y Radheshyam (Hiyanglam AC), Tongbram Robindro (Thanga AC), Kongkham Robindro (Mayang Imphal AC) and Paonam Brojen (Wangjing-Tentha AC) are currently stationed at Delhi.

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