New Govt before Mar 19, says 'caretaker' CM
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, March 11 2022: Governor La Ganesan has asked chief minister N Biren to continue in his office till formation of the new government as the former tendered resignation on Friday, a day after the BJP cruised to victory in the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly elections gained absolute majority.

Apart from the chief minister's resignation, which has paved the way for the process of installation of the new government, the council of ministers also decided to tender resignation to the Governor as a formality.

The chief minister accompanied by his ministerial colleagues and party MLAs met the Governor and submitted his resignation letter.

Later, he tweeted: "Called on Hon'ble Governor of Manipur at the Raj Bhavan to tender my resignation from the post of Chief Minister today.

I will now be serving as the caretaker Chief Minister".

Responding to the hundreds of congratulatory messages sent by the Prime Minister, many central ministers and leaders from across the country, Biren tweeted: "The entire party karyakarta is thankful to our Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji for his guidance and relentless efforts in bringing peace and development in the state.

With this decisive win, we are marching ahead to achieve greater heights under your able leadership" .

Sources said that the BJP central leadership is likely to decide on the leadership within a day or two.

The BJP earlier before the two phase elections (on February 28 and March 5) informally declared that Biren will be the party 's chief ministerial face and will head the next government.

BJP secured absolute majority by winning 32 seats in the 60-member house and is all set to form the government for the second consecutive term.

"The historic victory that we have achieved today is a testament of the people's faith in the dynamic leadership of Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji and citizen centric governance," said CM Biren soon after the declaration of the election results on Wednesday.

Biren registered a landslide victory securing over 17,000 votes from Heingang constituency.

His nearest rival was P Saratchandra Singh of the Indian National Congress (INC).

Till the time of filing this report, the saffron party's central leadership has not announced the name of the next chief minister of the state.

The outgoing CM also said that the new government will be formed before March 19 when the current state assembly term ends and a decision on who will lead is expected to be decided in the next couple days.

National People's Party, a partner in the existing government which won seven seats in the just concluded state poll, will not be a part of the new dispensation, Biren told reporters at his residence.

The decision on the new government and overall alliance would be taken by central observers of BJP who will come to Manipur.

The decision on the alliance will be taken by the observers in consultation with state unit authorities, he said.

Replying to queries on probable alliances, he said BJP has won the majority in the House and does not need support from other parties.

"But we have the coalition dharma and won't say no to those who want to support us from outside".

To questions on whether he would helm the next government, Biren said: "BJP is a national party and there are some procedures.

(Central) Observers will be there and the decision on leadership will be taken by the party parliamentary board".

Asked how soon the central observers will come to Manipur, he said "I am expecting them within one-two days" but declined to share the names.

Queried about NPP continuing as alliance partner in the new government, he said "We are not going to make any coalition partnership with NPP" .

There could, however, could be an alliance with Naga People's Front and some Independents have already expressed their Support to BJP.

"Everything will be done in consultation with the central leadership," he said.

When asked about a possible alliance with JD(U), a member of NDA at the Centre, he said, "We don't have any understanding in the state" .

Expressing remorse over incidents of election-related violence, the Biren revealed that the issue was deliberated upon by the state cabinet and relevant process would be initiated to extend assistance to the victim parties after formation of the new government.

About the repeal of the controversial Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) from the state, Biren said the new government would approach the union home ministry to lift it from the state except in the areas bordering Myanmar.

"We cannot compromise on national security.

We have 394 km long unfenced border with Myanmar, " he said.

The BJP manifesto for the Manipur Assembly election had promised to protest the state's territorial integrity but remained silent on the withdrawal of AFSPA, a demand made by chief ministers of neighbours Meghalaya and Nagaland after the firing on civilians by the Army at Oting in Nagaland in December last year.

In 2004, the then Congress government withdrew AFSPA from only seven assembly constituencies in Imphal area.

Meanwhile, the state cabinet on Friday resolved to tender resignation of the council of ministers to the Governor in view of completion of the vote counting process.

It also expressed profound satisfaction of serving under him and conveyed gratitude to the Election Commission of India and its functionaries for the successful conduct of the assembly elections.

The cabinet further thanked all the functionaries, officials and employees of the state government for their hard work and dedication in the conduct of the election.

It then expressed gratitude to the Central leadership for their unwavering support and guidance to the state government in ensuring smooth and efficient implementation of Government programmes and schemes for inclusive development in Manipur and welfare of its people.

The Cabinet took note of the various incidents of violence reported during the election process and strongly condemned such incidents.

The Cabinet further condoled the unfortunate death of individuals in election related incidents.

Lastly, the Cabinet expressed its gratitude to the people of Manipur for having placed their trust and confidence in the vision of the BJP led Government in Manipur during the past 5 years since 2017 towards building a new Manipur.

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