No stormy session for now
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: February 10, 2025 -

WITH various issues continuing to besiege the state, including the verdict kept on hold regarding disqualification petitions filed against JD-U and NPP legislators, many must have had the firm belief that the seventh session of the 12th Manipur Legislative assembly commencing from Monday (February 10) would definitely witness heated debates.

However, with chief minister N Biren tendering resignation and suspension of the assembly a day before its commencement, Biren's ministerial colleagues, and speaker Th Satyabrata must be heaving a huge sigh of relief that there would be no slugfests in the house, at-least for some weeks or months.

As per the standard protocol, none of the members, be they from the ruling parties or the opposition, have the right to criticise the speaker.

However, it could be safely stated that speaker Th Satyabrata would have faced tremendous pressure to entertain possible demand of the legislators for thorough deliberation on issues afflicting the state.

Unlike in the past sessions, prior to outbreak of the Kuki-Meetei clash to be specific, issues that use to dominate the house mainly centred on lack of economic development in the state, expression of disenchantment by the opposition members over alleged disparity in implementation and uniform allotment of development projects, lacunae in the education system, failure to check price rise of essential commodities, etc.

However, in view of the opposition Congress' plan to move a no-confidence motion against chief minister N Biren, holding him accountable for the nearly two years of unrest situation in the state, the speaker, in all probability, would be in the limelight and accused of taking the side of the ruling camp, and suppressing the voice of the opposition at the slightest hint of acting with partiality, if any.

Mention may be made that the opposition as well as handful of civil society organisations had been critical of the government's failure to resolve the crisis in the state, among other issues, destabilising the society.

For instance, CSOs raised the demand that the core issues afflicting the state are reflected in the Governor's address and same discussed to find solution to the unrest situation, including initiation of ceasefire, extension of humanitarian assistance, and immediate opening of National Highways.

Moreover, with the Congress determined to force a thorough discussion on the on-going conflict, the grand old party must have been hoping that legislators from the National People's Party, which recently withdrew support to the BJP-led coalition government, would not only back the proposed motion but also join the debate.

Such a debate wouldn't be feasible without speaker exhibiting and acting with neutrality and ensuring that assembly proceedings are conducted in a fair and impartial manner, rather than giving the notion to the opposition of him being partisan.

In short, the role of the speaker is considered crucial in maintaining impartiality in key leadership roles for the integrity of democratic processes.

As the primary role of the speaker in an assembly is to maintain neutrality of the proceedings so as to ensure impartiality in debates, he would be left with no option other than allot adequate time to all the MLAs, regardless of party affiliation, to participate in debates.

Thus, with resignation of the chief minister and the assembly session kept in abeyance, the Speaker can rest assured that till finalisation of a fresh schedule, he wouldn't be at the centre of the storm.