Ukhrul: On the day of PM Narendra Modi’s resignation along with the Union Council of Ministers and the dissolution of the 17th Lok Sabha on June 5, the Chief Minister of Manipur, N Biren Singh responding to questions on the speculation of government formation stated to reporters in Delhi that the National Democratic Alliance has secured the majority. He said, “In election and democracy, if a party receives a vote share of 31 in a 60 seats assembly, government is formed. There is no point of discussion on this. The BJP won 240 seats by its own, making it the single largest party.”
N Biren Singh further said, “by Constitution, the single largest party will be invited to form the government. There is no doubt about it. Our allies are committed.”
Both Indian National Congress candidates, Prof. Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam and Alfred Kanngam Arthur, defeated their closest rivals from the ruling BJP and regional party, Naga People’s Front (NPF), respectively, by substantial margins.
Dr. Akoijam won the Inner Manipur Parliamentary seat with a record-breaking margin of over one lakh votes, surpassing previous electoral records in Manipur. He defeated his nearest rival, BJP candidate and Manipur Education Minister Th. Basantakumar, by 1,09,801 votes.
In the Outer Manipur (ST) Parliamentary constituency, Congress candidate Alfred K. Arthur also emerged victorious, defeating his nearest rival, NPF candidate Kachui Timothy Zimik, by 83,438 votes.
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It is worth noting that in the 2017 Manipur Assembly election, the Bharatiya Janata Party emerged as a significant force, securing 21 out of the 60 seats. Although, it should be recalled that the Indian National Congress (INC) won 28 seats, making it the single largest party, but it fell short of a majority. The BJP, then, formed the government by forging alliances with smaller parties and independent candidates, marking a political shift in the state.
According to a report in Scroll, “On Sunday [March 12, 2017], the BJP staked its claim to forming the government, saying that it had the support of three regional parties: the National People’s Party, the Lok Janshakti Party and the Naga People’s Front…”; “…“We will approach Governor Najma Heptullah seeking her to invite BJP, NPP and Lok Janshakti Party to form government in Manipur,” Ram Madhav said.” N Biren Singh from the BJP was sworn in as the Chief Minister, replacing Okram Ibobi Singh of the Congress , who had served three consecutive terms was ousted.
