Congress may claim if none

Free Thinker *

Kuki, Meitei Cong leaders meet Kharge, Rahul on June 05 2025 :: Pix - TSE

These days State Congress leaders are in New Delhi and meeting their Central leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Kharge ji. The most encouraging and heartwarming part of these meetings is that Kuki-Zo-Chin leaders (Congress) are also present along with the Meitei and Naga netas.

They must be discussing the Manipur issues including the present flood situation caused by the overflowing of rivers and water breaching the river banks mostly in BJP MLA constituencies. Perhaps they are seriously thinking of forming a government in Manipur.

They have 5 MLAs and they simply need the support of 25 MLAs only; they can claim to form the government if they have the number. They are confident that they can manage a majority in the 'House' — in case of a trial of strength — which is unlikely to happen.

They have become more energetic when NDA MLAs increasingly become impatient and frustrated. MLAs keep coming to Raj Bhavan ; recently 10 MLAs visited His Excellency. Number is increasing gradually. Now, it is likely that more MLAs will come to see the Governor.

Shri Biren Singh also met Bhalla ji just a day before those ten. Both still have a bonhomie relationship. They have been in touch for many years. When His Excellency was in charge of North Block and Biren Singh was the CM — they were in touch every now and then. Whether you are in power or not — relationship matters.

That is why Congress is sanguine to form a Congress led government based on relations. Their 5 MLAs have wonderful relations with most of the MLAs. They all are anxious about their future and want to revive the state government by any means ; they all abhor early elections .

Many maintain that there was no breakdown of constitutional machinery in the State; but there were some serious law and order issues since May 2023. Many people have died and thousands displaced from their homes in an unabated ethnic strife. There are clear verdicts of the Apex Court saying that Centre can't invoke Article 356 just on the basis of deteriorating law and order situation of the state.

President's Rule can be imposed only when there is a clear breakdown of constitutional machinery. It is to be ascertained that lapses on the part of security and policing can be construed as breakdown of constitutional machinery. It may be linked — as it has direct bearing on government and governance.

How to prove? Recently 25 people were killed in the Union Territory of Kashmir. Article 356 was not invoked. When there was Nandigram rampage —PR was not imposed in West Bengal. A few years back there was a violent riot in East Delhi — President's Rule was not proclaimed. Because, these incidents were deemed to be issues relating to law and order.

In S.R Bommai case 1994, the Apex Court had redefined Centre-State relation in the backdrop of Article 356 ( Emergency provision).The judgment made a clear attempt to restrain the Centre in using Article 356.The Court had laid down certain rules to follow in order to prevent the misuse of the Article . The majority of the govt. shall be tested on the floor of the 'House'.

The court cannot question the Governor/President for invoking the Article — but can question the material used behind the proclamation. Is the material relevant? Was there any mala fide use of power? If there is any improper use of Article 356 then the Court may find remedy.

Invoking of Article 356 can be justified only when there is a breakdown of constitutional machinery and not administrative machinery. However the proclamation may be made on the physical breakdown where the government willfully refuses to discharge its constitutional obligations endangering the security of the State.

Whether the CM resigned due to lack of majority in the `House' or whether he was asked to resign — it is a material question. If he was instructed to resign even when the Party has majority in the Assembly then it is the bounden duty of the Party Leadership to install a leader for continuance of governance. Even if the people's representatives are hopeless — ideally there should be an elected government.

That is the system we borrow from Britain. If the party or the alliance has the requisite number in the 'House' their government should be restored or revived. Law and order can't be the pretext to continue the rule of the non-elected. Now things are limping back to normalcy — people move on and survive somehow.

The number of IDP has also come down drastically — not because of rehabilitation - but because of their moving away from the relief camps to their relatives or friends inside or outside the state. According to an unforgiving assessment by next year there will be no IDP in the State if the same process continues. Except for the fast flood, things are much better.

That is why Congress becomes restless. They want to form the government with the support of Manipur BJP.

In politics there are no friends or foes — only deals. S and S sat together for an appeasement plan - just wait and watch!