Split reduces Manipur Govt to minority

Split reduces Manipur Govt to minority
Press Trust of India

Imphal, Feb 11: The United Legislature Front ministry in Manipur was reduced to a minority today following a split in the legislature wing of the major ruling partner, Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP), as Speaker S Dhananjoy Singh hinted at reconvening the House on February 14.

With the withdrawal of support of the MSCP MLAs, the Front’s strength was reduced to 27 in the 60-member House with an effective strength of 59. Manipur Sports Minister M Hemanta Singh, who along with seven MLAs broke away from the MSCP, said they had withdrawn support from the ministry of W Nipamacha Singh who must resign as he now headed a minority government. Sources in both ruling and opposition camps said the immediate cause of the political crisis was the decision taken by the MSCP legislature wing on February 9 to withdraw support to the NDA and to instruct its MP, Union Minister of State for Food Processing Th Chaoba Singh to resign from the Vajpayee government. ’’Our future course of action would be decided soon after the arrival of the MSCP working president and Union Minister of State for Food Processing, th. Chaoba Singh from Delhi this afternoon,’’ Hemanta Singh said. Significantly, sources close to the Speaker said Dhananjoy Singh was likely to issue notification for reconvening the House onFebruary 14.

The Assembly had been adjourned sine die since December 1 by the Speaker after admitting a no-trust motion against the Nipamacha Singh government.Among the eight who left the MSCP, disqualification cases under Anti-defection Law were pending with the Speaker against four - Sericulture and Labour Minister Hangkhanpao, Minister of state for Public Health Onjamang haokip, Minister of State for Minorities, Md Allaudin and Deputy Chairman of State Planning Board L Jatra Singh.