New Delhi: BJP MLA Thokchom Radheshyam Singh on Wednesday claimed that 44 MLAs in Manipur are ready to form a new government. He made the claim after a meeting with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan.
Singh went to meet the Governor along with nine other MLAs and according to a PTI report, they have informed Governor of their readiness to form a new government according to the sentiment of common people. He said, “We informed the governor that 44 MLAs are ready. We also discussed possible solutions to the ongoing issues in the state.”
He added, “Letting the governor know that we’re ready is akin to staking a claim. The central BJP leadership will take the final call. Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh has met all 44 MLAs individually and collectively. There is no opposition to forming a new government.”
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Since February, Manipur has been under President’s rule after the resignation of former CM N Biren Singh who was criticised for not handling the ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo communities properly. The conflict began in May 2023, and resulted in more than 250 deaths and displaced thousands.
The Manipur Assembly has 60 seats with one of them being vacant. The BJP-led coalition of 44 MLAs includes 32 Meitei MLAs, three Manipur Manipuri Muslim MLAs, and nine Naga legislators. The Congress has five Meitei seats and The remaining 10 MLAs are Kukis, including seven MLA from BJP, two from the Kuki People’s Alliance, and one Independent.
Manipur is witnessing a fresh episode of chaos especially in the Imphal Valley dominated by Meitei. The unrest began after an incident in Gwaltabi on May 20, where security personnel allegedly hit the name of the state on the windshield of a government bus. Meitei groups have demanded the Governor’s apology and the resignation of the chief secretary, security advisor and DGP.
