NPF MLAs to vote against no confidence motion
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 07 2025: With a no confidence motion looming large over the seventh session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly which commences on February 10, the Naga People's Front (NPF), Manipur unit has decided to vote against any no confidence motion raised by non-NDA legislators.

Together with United Naga Council (UNC) leaders, NPF Manipur unit held a meeting on the unfolding political situation at its president Awangbow Newmai's quarters at Lamphelpat.

Sources said that all the five NPF MLAs were present at the meeting.

After deliberating minutely on the possible scenario of a no confidence motion, the meeting decided not to support any no confidence motion raised against the N Biren Government.

NPF MLAs to vote against no confidence motion

A key functionary of NPF Manipur unit told The Sangai Express that they have received reports from different quarters about the possibility of a no confidence motion against the N Biren Government.

Taking serious note of these reports, NPF legislators and the party's functionaries have deliberated on the matter, he said.

The NPF legislators and the party's functionaries held a meeting so that the NPF legislators can adopt a common decision in case a no confidence motion is raised against the N Biren Government, said the NPF functionary.

Notably, there are five NPF MLAs in the Manipur Legislative Assembly and two of them namely; Awangbow Newmai (Tamei AC) and Khashim Vashum (Chingai AC) are Cabinet Ministers in the Biren Government.

All the five NPF MLAs have decided to vote against any no confidence motion raised by non-NDA legislators or legislators belonging to INDIA Bloc, said the NPF's key functionary.

Maintaining that it is unlikely for any BJP legislator to raise a no confidence motion against the Government, the NPF functionary said that BJP legislators can demand change of leadership to the high command if they are not happy with the present leadership.

If any BJP legislator raises a no confidence motion against the Government, it would go down in the history of India's electoral politics, he said.

In case a no confidence motion is moved by either Congress or NPP, it is hard to imagine BJP MLAs supporting such a motion.

Moreover, BJP will issue whip upon its MLAs, he continued.

Even if a no confidence motion is raised and the Members of the House must vote, it would be difficult for the Speaker to authorise secret ballots for it is a matter of BJP's survival in the State, he said.

"It is hard to imagine the Speaker doing anything which would discredit and subvert NDA", the NPF functionary added.

After the meeting, some NPF MLAs went to the Chief Minister's bungalow to talk with N Biren.

The meeting also discussed the entry of around 230 Myanmarese Nagas into Thangbu Meenou (T Meenou) village in Tengnoupal district following heightened military action by the Myanmar junta against PDF in border areas including Tamu.

The meeting also discussed extending all possible assistance from the side of the NPF Manipur unit to the Naga immigrants from Myanmar.

The Naga immigrants from Myanmar include around 180 Anals and 50 Tangkhuls.

Informing that the attack against the PDF would be intensified, the military junta reportedly told the Naga people of Myanmar to take temporary refuge at safer places.

On receiving this information, the Naga people came to Manipur and are currently taking refuge at Thangbu Meenou village, said the source.