Ukhrul, Feb 5: Chief Minister N. Biren Singh departed for New Delhi this afternoon amid speculation of a no-confidence motion against him in the upcoming Manipur Legislative Assembly session, as well as concerns about internal strife within the BJP party.
CM Biren boarded an Indigo flight at around 2 PM following an alleged summons from Union Home Minister Amit Shah. While details of his visit remain undisclosed, political circles are abuzz with reports that some BJP MLAs and ministers in Manipur are considering withdrawing support from him. There is also speculation of a change of leadership in the state given the open dissent from some of the party’s MLAs.
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The Chief Minister’s trip to the national capital comes on the heels of State Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Y Khemchand Singh, a known Biren critic, traveling to Delhi after being reportedly summoned by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The Union Home Minister had also reportedly met State BJP leader and Manipur Speaker Th. Satyabrata Singh, one of the dissenters.
“More than two-thirds of the BJP MLAs are not happy with the current leadership. So everyone is going to make some move in the interest of the public and the state. The turmoil is intolerable. We cannot wait anymore,” a BJP MLA was quoted as saying by media reports.
Corroborating this, the source also stated that the Congress is “observing” the dissent within the BJP party. “We do not have the numbers to move a no-confidence motion but we are told that there is internal bickering within the BJP and more than 10 MLAs are against the Chief Minister. Our Political Advisory Committee is taking stock of the situation and we are observing it. We will take the right step at the right time and do what it takes to restore stability to Manipur,” the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in charge of Manipur, Girish Chodankar was quoted as saying.
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The source also quoted Manipur Congress president K Meghachandra as saying, “We are discussing the matter and are going to have our CLP meeting before the session, after which we will decide our future course of action. At the same time, the BJP has a divided house at present.”
However, it informed that sources in the central BJP have ruled out any change in the leadership in Manipur soon. The BJP source insisted that the visit was to “seek the Centre’s support for the infrastructure projects that have resumed in the state” and to push for more funds for infrastructure and security measures in the state.
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