Manipur BJP-led govt shaky as NPF says will withdraw support soon

The BJP-led Manipur government appeared shaky on Sunday as the Naga People's Front announced on Sunday that it is likely to withdraw support to it after the Nagaland elections slated for February 27.

"We have decided to withdraw support from the coalition soon. The decision may be announced shortly after the Nagaland elections," said NPF's state President Marung Makunga.

The NPF MLAs has four lawmakers in the 60-member Assembly, where the BJP has only 21 and is dependent on allies for its majority. An NPF lawmaker is a cabinet minister.

"During a public meeting, Chief Minister N Biren Singh told the NPF members of the Autonomous District Council of Chandel district to join the BJP. Was it a mere joke or mocking our party or showing disrespect to our party?" Makunga asked during a press conference.

Political observers feel that the parting of ways may be the last straw for the coalition government. There are worries about the possibility of the High Court of Manipur taking a firm decision on petitions against the appointment of 12 Parliamentary secretaries, which will affect 12 MLAs. The Congress had filed the petitions against 12 MLAs who were appointed as Parliamentary Secretaries. The High Court has listed the petitions for hearing on March 13.

State Congress president TN Haokip said that the eight Congress MLAs who had joined the BJP may have to return to Congress or face disqualification proceedings and the party has submitted petitions to Governor Najma Heptulla and Speaker Y Khemchand in this regard.

Other NPF leaders said that the Chief Minister had announced allotment of crores of rupees for the hill districts as part of his slogan "go to the hills" but nothing has been done after such announcements.

The NPF's announcement comes in wake of the developments in Nagaland where the BJP has dumped the NPF, an ally for over a decade, and tied up with a newly-floated party for the state assembly polls.

Inputs by NH Web Desk.