Manipur: Alliance Between NPP & BJP at Stake after Deputy CM Stripped of Portfolios

Imphal, April 10, 2020:

Alliance between the Manipur Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and National People's Party (NPP), both part of the State's ruling coalition Government, is at stake after Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh of the NPP was stripped of all his portfolios and made a Minister without portfolio by Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

It has been learnt that the issue relates to the rice distribution system in the Uripok constituency of Y Joykumar. He was miffed that the rice that was allocated to his constituency was not enough to cover all and reportedly made offensive remarks against the CM's method of rice distribution.

While speaking with Inside Northeast, Y Joykumar Singh said, "I had distributed rice to all, including the non-card holders as well. Biren had announced that each voter should be given 4 kgs of rice. I told those people that it’s not possible with the rice that has been provided to me. Some of the womenfolk came and complained about the distribution. I explained it to them. There has been a misunderstanding. I said that those who say that 4 kgs rice should be given are mad people. One of the BJP workers had recorded that and he tried to instigate me. I did not exactly call Biren a mad chap. I only stressed on the people. Those people who say that 4 kgs rice should be given are not understanding. Biren is also included in this."

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He informed that there is a meeting at 2 PM in the Legislative Assembly. "Thereafter we will decide the course of action," he added. It may be mentioned here that after the 2017 Manipur elections, the BJP had formed the government with the support of NPP, Naga People’s Front and others.

In the 60-member House which now has an effective strength of 59 after a Congress MLA, who had defected to the BJP, was disqualified by the Speaker following an order of the Supreme Court, the BJP and its allies together have 37 members.

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While talking about the meeting, Joykumar said, "If five of us withdraw, there will be only 27 candidates with the BJP. There is a catch here. Several Congress MLAs have tried to join the BJP. The fact remains that the Congress MLAs had petitioned to declare whether they belong to the Congress or other party. The Assembly Secretary said that they are still Congress MLAs. There was also a move to disqualify them. But after all these things, it is not settled. As of now, the strength of Congress is 27 and plus five it makes 32. So that way the BJP Govt becomes a minority govt. If we withdraw, there will be problem."

Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has taken charge of all the portfolios of the Deputy CM. He will be handling MAHUD, Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Science & Technology, Economics & Statistics.

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