Failure to convene Assembly even after Cabinet decision to do so unprecedented : Ibobi
Avoid Constitutional crisis : Cong to Govt
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 20 2023: Pointing out that due normal session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly could not be held till date, and many people have started speculating whether the State may face a Constitutional crisis, CLP leader and former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has appealed to the State Government to ensure that there is no Constitutional crisis in the State.

The 79th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was today observed as Sadhbhavana Diwas at Congress Bhavan here today under the aegis of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) .

Failure to convene Assembly even after Cabinet decision to do so unprecedented : Ibobi

Led by MPCC president K Meghachandra and CLP leader O Ibobi, Congress MLAs, MPCC functionaries and office bearers of different Congress units offered floral tributes to the photograph of Rajiv Gandhi.

Speaking on the occasion, O Ibobi hailed Rajiv Gandhi as a distinguished world leader.

Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated for his efforts to safeguard the integrity of India and foster cordial ties with all neighbouring countries.

Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi at a young age was a big loss for India.

Had he lived longer, India would have scaled greater heights in the field of science and technology, Ibobi said.

Rajiv Gandhi was posthumously honoured with Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award and his birth anniversary is observed as Sadhbhavana Diwas, he said.

On being enquired by media persons on the Government's inability to convene State Assembly session despite strong pressure from the public and after the State Cabinet decided to hold a session on August 21, Ibobi said that the Congress party repeatedly approached the Governor to convene a Assembly session in the backdrop of the violent crisis besieging the State.

It is something unprecedented that no Assembly session has been convened even after the State Cabinet decided to hold a session, he remarked.

It would be more appropriate to ask the Government what is holding them back from convening an Assembly session, Ibobi said.

Many Constitutional experts have started questioning what is going on in the State.

As per the Constitution, it is mandatory for the State Assembly to hold a session every six months, at least for two/three days.

The session may last longer if there are many businesses, Ibobi said.

Backed by a Cabinet decision, the Government should seek approval of the Governor for convening an Assembly.

As the previous session was adjourned sine die, the Governor should summon the Assembly session 15 days before the actual commencement of the session, said the former Chief Minister.

Even after the State Cabinet adopted a resolution to hold Assembly session, the Governor has not yet given her approval.

As a result, many people, particularly Constitutional experts have expressed fear of a possible Constitutional crisis in the State.

Congress party is of the view that the Government should avoid such a crisis in the interest of the State, the CLP leader said.

In view of the violent crisis besieging the State, Congress party repeatedly approach the Governor to summon the State Assembly so that a concrete decision can be adopted regarding the crisis but to no avail, he said.

MPCC president K Meghachandra said that Rajiv Gandhi worked tirelessly to bring National integration among all the people of the country, irrespective of religion, caste or race.

It appears that there are distrust and antagonism among different communities in Manipur today.

Every one needs to shed all sense of antagonism and work collectively to restore peace in the State, Meghachandra said.

Saying that violence will never bring anything positive, the MPCC president called upon everyone to profess and practise the idea of peace and harmony as espoused by Rajiv Gandhi.

Violence has been gripping the State because the Government has failed in its duties, he asserted.

The gathering also took an oath of 'peace and non-violence'.

As a part of commemorating the Sadhbhavana Diwas, MPCC presented relief materials including food items to displaced people currently taking shelter in the relief camp opened at Shyamasakhi Girls High School, Moirangkhom.

On the other hand, another Congress team comprising MPCC working president Victor Keishing, general secretaries Amir Hussain and Wahidur Rahaman went to Kangpokpi and presented relief materials to two relief camps viz; ITI relief camp and DIET centre relief camp.

After handing over the relief materials, Victor Keishing prayed that the birth anniversary of late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi may bring peace in Manipur.

He called upon every section of the society to work collectively so as to restore peace and normalcy in the State.

He also appealed for dialogue and reconciliation among all parties in conflict.