Imphal, March 14: A joint meeting of the elected MLAs of different political parties and independent members who will sit on the Opposition bench of the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly, the first session of which is scheduled to begin from March 16, was held today.

It is very likely that no candidate from the side of the Opposition is to be proposed for election to the post of the Assembly Speaker.

The meeting held at the Lamphel residence of Khurai AC MLA Dr Bijoy was attended by MPP Legislature Wing leader O Joy, NCP State unit president Radhabinod Koijam and UNC-sponsored independent MLAs.

Now it is clear that in all 16 MLAs including five MPP MLAs, five NCP MLAs and six independent MLAs would sit in the Opposition bench of the 60-member house which has been reduced to 59 only following the resignation of the CM from Khangabok.

The political parties and the number of the members who would be on the Ruling side are 29 Congress MLAs of Congress, 4 CPI MLAs, 3 RJD MLAs and 3 NPP MLAs.

Independent candidates elected from Patsoi and Saitu Assembly Constituencies namely Sapam Kunjeshore (Keba) and Haokholet Kipgen have already announced their decision of extending support to the SPF Government.

However, the stand of M Thorii and Khangthuanang who are respectively elected from Mao and Tamenglong Assembly Constituencies is yet to be confirmed.

Talking to mediapersons after the meeting, O Joy announced that elected representatives of MPP, NCP and six UNC-sponsored independent MLAs have decided to discharge their duties as Opposition members.

All the MLAs who were present during the meeting resolved to set aside the political difference and work together keeping in mind the important issues of the State along with extending close floor co-ordination among themselves, Joy said.

When asked whether the Opposition would contest for the post of the Speaker, Joy categorically stated that in the present situation the Opposition has no plan for contesting in election for the post of the Speaker nor it would be appropriate to hold election for such an august post, he said.

Who would be the leader of the Opposition or whether a separate front of the Opposition would be floated have not yet been decided, Joy added, while responding to another question.

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