Biren Govt set to show strength today
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 09 2020: The coalition Government led by BJP is all set to prove on the floor of the State Assembly tomorrow that it is still supported by majority MLAs.

Notably, six MLAs belonging to NPP, AITC and one Independent withdrew their support from the Biren Government and tied up with the Secular Progressive Front led by CLP leader Okram Ibobi.

But all the six MLAs reversed their decision within a few days and renewed their support to the Biren Government.

The coalition Government would move a confidence motion tomorrow and prove on the floor of the House that they enjoy majority in the House.

The 60-Member Manipur Legislative Assembly is scheduled to hold a one-day session tomorrow but the effective strength of the House at the moment is just 53.Out of the 21 MLAs belonging to BJP, three had resigned.

Although 28 Congress MLAs were elected in the last State Assembly election, four had been disqualified which reduced their strength to 24.At present, the ruling coalition has 29 MLAs including 18 from BJP, four from NPP, four from NPF, one Independent, one from LJP and from AITC.

The four NPP MLAs, the Independent MLA and the AITC MLA had earlier joined hands with Congress to form SPF although they came back shortly after.

It is the NPF and LJP which have been holding steadfast to the BJP-led coalition since its formation.

It is being speculated that the six MLAs would vote in favour of the Government.

In case, they vote in support of the Government as expected, 29 votes would go in favour of the confidence motion.

Although six Congress MLAs namely Abdul Nasir, RK Imo, O Henry, O Lukhoi, Ngamthang Haokip and GS Haopu are reportedly eyeing a place in the Biren-led Government, Congress party are still expecting that they would vote against the confidence motion.

In case, they defy the party's whip and vote in favour of the confidence motion, they would face disqualification under the 10th Schedule.

Even though both Congress and BJP had cracked whips in connection with the floor test, NPP is yet to issue any such whip.

Taking serious note of the confidence motion moved by the ruling parties, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) held another round of meeting today.

According to one Congress MLA, the CLP meeting discussed about participation of all Congress MLAs in the one-day House session.

As per rules, the confidence motion which the ruling parties are expected to raise would be decided by voting, said the MLA.

It is said that many Congress MLAs stayed away from the CLP meeting held today.

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