NPP withdraws support to Biren-led Govt
Source: Chronicle News Service
New Delhi/Imphal, November 17 2024:
The Conrad Sangma-led National People's Party (NPP) on Sunday withdrew its support to the BJP-led Manipur government, expressing "deep concern" over the prevailing law and order situation in the state.
In an official letter marked to BJP national president JP Nadda, NPP said that the Manipur government, under the leadership of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, has completely failed to control the ethnic violence in the state and restore normalcy.
Citing its dissatisfaction with the handling of the crisis and loss of innocent lives, the party announced its decision to withdraw support from the government with immediate effect.
"We strongly feel that the Manipur State Government under the leadership of Biren Singh has completely failed to resolve the crisis and restore normalcy," the letter issued by NPP read.
"Keeping the current situation in mind, the National People's Party has decided to withdraw its support to the Biren Singh-led Government in the State of Manipur, with immediate effect, " it added.
The NPP shocker came as the situation in Manipur, which has been reeling from ethnic strife between Kuki and Meitei communities since May last year, continued to be volatile following protests and violence after the recovery of bodies of women and children.
Despite losing a key ally in the state, the BJP government is most likely to stay stable as it has a comfortable majority in the 60-member Manipur Assembly.
The BJP currently holds 37 seats on its own, a majority well above the halfway mark of 31.This includes five MLAs from the Janata Dal (United) who joined the BJP in late 2022.Additionally, the BJP also has the support of five MLAs from the NagaPeoples Front (NPF), one JD (U) legislator, and three Independent MLAs.
On the other-hand, NPP national vice president Yumnam Joykumar expressed dismay over the state government's approach to secure the release of six Jiribam residents abducted by Kuki militants.
He also said that the party decided to withdraw support from the BJP-led government as it has lost the trust on the government.
Speaking at a press meet at his residence on Sunday evening, Joykumar criticised the decision to entrust the Assam Rifles for the rescue operation, citing public concerns about their perceived partiality toward the Kuki community.
Joykumar contended that had the government approached Jiribam MLA Md Ashab Uddin top handle the task, the outcome might have been different.
He highlighted Ashab's strong connections with the Hmar community, which could have facilitated a safer resolution.
His main voters are from the Muslim and Hmar communities, and maintains healthy relationships with the Hmar people.
It is unfortunate that the government failed to recognise this potential advantage, Joykumar said.
During the press conference, Joykumar informed that he had discussed the crisis earlier in the day with the party's national president, leading to the NPP's decision to withdraw support to the BJP-led government in the state.
He stressed that this move was not an abandonment of responsibility but in response to the N Biren government's inability to resolve the crisis after 18 months.
Despite withdrawing support, Joykumar assured that the NPP would continue to seek solutions to restore peace in the state.
(With inputs from India Today) .
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