GUWAHATI: Forty-four MLAs are ready to form a new government in Manipur, BJP legislator Thokchom Radheshyam Singh claimed on Wednesday after meeting Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla.
Ten MLAs from Manipur met Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan in Imphal on Wednesday, demanding the formation of a “popular” government in the state.
The delegation included seven MLAs from the BJP, two from the National People’s Party, and an independent legislator.
BJP legislator Thokchom Radheshyam Singh, who was part of the delegation, told the media that 44 MLAs were ready to form a new government. The Manipur Assembly has 60 seats, one of which is lying vacant following the death of an MLA.
“We conveyed to the governor that 44 MLAs are ready. This is akin to staking a claim,” Singh said.
He claimed that all MLAs, except the 10 from the Kuki-Zo community and five from the Congress, favoured the installation of the government. Singh also mentioned that the Centre could reimpose President’s Rule if a popular government failed. He left the matter of “who will lead the government” to the BJP’s central leadership.
Independent MLA Sapam Nishikanta Singh said they had appealed to the governor for early government formation.
“All the NDA MLAs are keen on the installation of a popular government in the interest of Manipur. We need the support of the public because without it, things would be a little difficult to have quick and smooth government formation,” he said.
“We gave him a paper, signed by 22 MLAs. This is the same paper that we gave to the Prime Minister. Some are not here (today), but everybody is by and large together in this. They want a popular government. It is for people’s welfare,” the MLA further stated.
Ahead of the imposition of President’s Rule in February, the BJP was unable to reach a consensus on the leadership issue. The party reportedly has two factions.
Former Chief Minister N Biren Singh met the governor at the Raj Bhavan on Tuesday evening. Later, he wrote on X that the discussion focused on the ongoing unrest in the state.
The unrest was triggered by the alleged concealment of the signage “Manipur State Transport” by security personnel from a state-run bus in which a media team was travelling to Ukhrul to cover the Shirui Lily festival recently.
In response to the call by Meitei organisation Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), people have been taking out rallies, torch processions, and sit-ins in protest against the incident.
The state government, which has already ordered a probe, stated on Wednesday that there were no instructions whatsoever, or even a remote thought, of covering the name of the state, as alleged.
“This has been amply clarified by the state government as well as by the responsible political leadership. What transpired on the ground would be revealed after a thorough inquiry only,” a government statement said.