Coalition govt reduced to minority in Manipur; NPP, BJP legislators ditch party

Imphal, June 17: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in Manipur has been reduced to a minority on Wednesday after nine legislators, including three BJP legislators quit as members of the Assembly while six other legislators extended support in favour of the opposition Congress.

Four cabinet ministers from the National People’s Party (NPP) — Y Joykumar, L Jayantakumar, Letpao Haokip and N Kayisii — also submitted their resignation papers to Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh.

Lone Trinamool Congress legislator, L Robindro and Independent legislator Ashabuddin also withdrew support from the BJP-led government.

Former Chief Minister and veteran Congress legislator, Okram Ibobi Singh said the opposition has now increased its numbers to 33 after four NPP legislators, one Trinamool Congress legislator and one Independent member withdrew support to the BJP-led government.

“We will soon meet Governor (Najma Heptullah) and demand for a floor test to be done immediately,” Ibobi said at a press conference in the presence of nine legislators who withdrew support from the BJP-led government.

In the 60-member Manipur Assembly whose effective strength is 59, the Congress has a strength of 24 legislators now.

The BJP, which has a strength of 18, still has the support of four Naga People’s Front (NPF) legislators and one lone Lok Janshakti Party.

One seat is lying vacant after Th Shyamkumar was disqualified for defecting from the Congress to the BJP under the provision of the Tenth Schedule.

Another seven Congress legislators who had “defected” to the BJP are now facing disqualification at speaker’s tribunal.

On June 8, the Manipur High Court had directed the Assembly Speaker Yumnam Khemchand to “restrain” seven Congress legislators , who had “defected” to the BJP, from entering the House until further orders.

The seven legislators are Sanasam Bira Singh, Ginsuanhau, Oinam Lukhoi Singh, Ngamthang Haokip, Yengkhom Surchandra Singh, Kshetrimayum Bira Singh and Paonam Brojen Singh.

The Manipur Assembly elections in 2017 witnessed a hung assembly, with the Congress emerging as the single largest party with 28 legislators in the house of 60. The BJP won in 21 seats.

The NPP and the NPF bagged four seats each. The LokJanshakti Party, Trinamool Congress and an Independent candidate won one seat each.

The BJP formed the government for the first-time with the support of non-Congress parties besides Congress legislator, Th Shyamkumar Singh who defected to BJP.