Govt playing games with the people : Lokeshwar
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 12 2025: The Governor declaring the scheduled February 10 Assembly session as null and void has made a mockery of the Constitution, said former Speaker, MLA Thokchom Lokeshwar.

Speaking to reporters at his official residence at Babupara today, the MLA said the Assembly session could have been a platform for thoroughly deliberating the ongoing crisis and possibly finding a solution.

Assembly sessions must be held at least once every six months.

Not convening the earlier scheduled session and declaring it null and void is a violation of Article 174 of the Constitution, he said.

The Governor calling off the session clearly shows that the double-engine Government doesn't care for the people of Manipur.

Even when they clearly have the majority in the House, they have chosen not to convene the session, which could have discussed the ongoing crisis.

This is very unfortunate, he said.

While the Assembly session has been declared null and void, the Governor and the Centre have not stated the reason yet.

This shows their utter disrespect towards the people of the State, he said.

"They don't want discussion to take place on the crisis that has besieged the State since May 3, 2023.They don't want solutions and peace to return to Manipur, so they have chosen not to convene the session," said the MLA.

A day before the scheduled session, N Biren Singh tendered his resignation as the Chief Minister and the Governor "suddenly declared" his earlier summon for the Assembly session "null and void" .

Immediately after the CM tendered his resignation, the BJP leadership could have chosen one of their legislators as the new Chief Minister and hold the session as scheduled.

Their inability to choose a Chief Minister in the interest of the public is very unfortunate, Lokeshwar said.

Now there are speculations doing the rounds about keeping the State under suspended animation or President's Rule.

Such an arrangement could trigger public outrage.

The caretaker Chief Minister should bear responsibility for any untoward incidents that may arise, he added.

The MLA said N Biren Singh had resigned anticipating a sure floor test defeat in the House.

The Opposition Congress had prepared a series of resolutions to be moved in the House for the welfare of displaced people and village volunteers.

The Governor calling off the Assembly session has rendered these efforts useless, he said.

The Centre has no love for the people of Manipur.

In the President's recent speech that had more than 5000 words, not a single word on Manipur was spoken, he said.

To safeguard Manipur and resolve the crisis, communities must come together and CSOs must unite and root out BJP from Manipur, he added.

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