Manipur: BJP damage controls political erosion, Congress cries foul-play

After the political parties deserted from the BJP coalition government in Manipur, the new alliance looked forward to forming the government by forging an alliance with the Congress. Congress welcomed the move, Ningombam Bupenda Meitei, Manipur Congress spokesperson said, “It is a historic day today on June 18 that Congress-led coalition parties have gone to Manipur’s Raj Bhavan to stake a claim for the new govt. under the leadership of Shri Okram Ibobi Singh and requested Governor for special assembly for a vote of no confidence.”

Conrad Sangma, the NPP chief and CM of Meghalaya also commented on the political erosion in a Manipur. “Yes the NPP withdrew support after the 3 BJP MLAs resigned”. Sangma also admitted problems in the political coalition with BJP, “there has been a bit of friction between the NPP and other parties and we brought this to the notice of the Central leadership and efforts were on to resolve this”. He further stated that the resignation by the BJP MLAs had triggered the sequence of events that followed and “therefore the NPP MLAs decided not to support”.

Also read: BJP wins lone RS seat in Manipur amid political turmoil, NPP secures Meghalaya

Aftermath: BJP maintains hold

However, the incident had no impact on the Manipur Rajya Sabha Elections where BJP won the lone seat. BJP candidate Leisemba Sanajaoba defeated Congress’ T Mangi Babu. After this, there has been a lack of clarity regarding the new government taking place or whether the status quo remains.

Things got clear on 24th June, when the NPP delegation led by Sri Y Joy Kumar flew to Delhi to meet BJP Chief Amit Shah. BJP NEDA Chief and Assam Health Minister tweeted regarding the situation. As things stand, the NPP is back with BJP and the status quo remains intact.

Following the incident, the opposition Congress has alleged foul-play from the BJP about stopping the Congress from forming the government. In an interview with Inside Northeast, senior Congress leader and former Assam CM Tarun Gogoi alleged BJP for violating quarantine in order to secure a seat. Following are the excerpts.

Q. The pro-Cong alliance now finds itself in a backseat. Reports reveal NPP has almost quit the new alliance. How did this happen so quickly?

Tarun Gogoi: Congress has claimed the govt but we could file no confidence. In the short spam, Himanta Biswa Sarma and NPP has gone twice to Manipur and kidnapped the whole NPP MLAs, whom he brought to GHY and kept in Radisson Hotel. Meanwhile, MP Gaurav Gogoi and senior Congress leader Ajay Maken were kept in quarantine, the same rule didn't apply to Himanta Biswa and Conrad.

Q. Reports reveal Ibobi Singh's CBI inquiry has been started after the incident, how do you see the issue?

Tarun Gogoi: It's all petty politics. They will use ED and now CBI. Why were they silent all along and this enquiry was started after he went to Governor regarding the formation of Ministry. This is political vendetta

Q. Joykumar-Biren Singh were all ex BJP who left the party, even the last Manipur elections MLAs have deserted the Congress. Does this latest situation tell us more about the vulnerabilities of CONG as opposed to BJP? Even Congress leader Imo Singh went against his own party in RS POlls, do you think there's a lack of party unity?

Tarun Gogoi: Speaker has shown partiality allowing 3 Cong MLAs and disqualifying one. As for the party unity, differences are there in every party. In Assam also differences are there in AGP, BJP. I am not worried about the differences. The issue is BJP has failed to give justice to the people, economic problems including price rise are there. They have failed to miserably and people are today unhappy and that we would reflect in the coming Assembly elections.

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