In the run-up to the formation of a new government in Manipur, the Kuki People’s Alliance (KPA) on Friday extended its unconditional support to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the interest of people of the State.
KPA President Tongmang Haokip along with the two newly elected MLAs – Kimneo Haokip Hangshing (Saikul AC) and Chinlunthang (Singhat AC) submitted their letter of support to the Governor of Manipur La. Ganesan at Raj Bhavan in Imphal on Sunday.
In less than two months of its birth, a tribe-based political party in Manipur has managed to make its way into the Assembly. The party (KPA) registered a “miraculous” victory in Saikul and Singhat assembly constituencies it contested.
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The KPA’s main poll planks were what the state’s tribal communities have demanded for long- a repeal of the AFSPA from Hill areas of the State, a push for the ‘Autonomous District Council Bill 2021’, strengthening of Article 371-C (which safeguards the rights of the hills of Manipur), as well as to expedite the peace process of KNO-UPF tripartite talks with the State and Centre governments.
Earlier, Janata Dal (United) and an Independent MLA-Sapam Nishikanta Singh also extended their unconditional support to BJP in the formation of a new Government in the State.
Following the victory of its five candidates in the recently held Manipur Assembly polls, NPF too dashed a letter to Manipur governor expressing support to BJP-led government.
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National People’s Party (NPP) leader and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, who had earlier visited Imphal to seek a place for his party in the government to be formed, seemed miffed by hints that the BJP would go ahead and form a single-party government in Manipur.
“NPP as a national party is part of the NEDA (North-East Democratic Alliance). If the BJP does invite us in government formation in Manipur, we will be happy. If the situation is that we are not part of the government there, we will examine the matter,” Sangma had said earlier.
Caretaker Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had already indicated that he did not favour taking the NPP into the BJP-led government, though the Naga People’s Front is likely to find a place in the new government.
It may be noted here that the BJP received a thumping majority by winning 32 seats in the 60 members of 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly election.
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