Guwahati: In yet another hint of growing discontentment against Chief Minister N Biren Singh, as many as many as 11 legislators did not attend a meeting, called by the CM to discuss the deteriorating law and order situation in the state, without giving any specific reason despite receiving the notification for the meeting on Monday, while another seven took leave.
Notices have been served on them for not attending the meeting.
Of the 11, at least 9 MLAs belonged to BJP, one to the National People’s Party and an Independent. Of the seven MLAs who took leave of absence, three were BJP legislators. However, the official statement claimed that the meeting was attended by around 26 legislators. BJP’s ally National People’s Party has already withdrawn its support to the government. However, three of the seven NPP MLAs –MLA Oinam AC Irengbam Nalini Devi, MLA Moirang AC Thongam Shanti Singh, MLA Tamenglong AC Janghemlung Panmei — attended the meeting on Monday.
Th Satyabrata, MLA Singjamei AC, Y Khemchand, MLA Thanga AC, T Robindro, MLA Wabagai AC Usham Deben, MLA Hiyanglam AC, Y Radheshyam, MLA Heirok AC, Th Radheshyam, MLA Jiribam AC, Ashab Uddin, and MLA Uripok AC Kh Raghumani, MLA Thangmeiband AC Kh Joykisan were absent.
MLA Sagolband AC RK Imo and MLA Keishamthong AC S Nishikant also did not attend the meeting as they are reportedly outside the state.
Reacting to this, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh posted on X, “The Manipur Assembly has 60 MLAs. Last night, the CM of Manipur called a meeting in Imphal of all MLAs belonging to the NDA. Other than him, only 26 showed up. Of these 26, four belong to the NPP whose national president has already written to the BJP national president withdrawing support to the present CM. The writing on the wall is clear. But is the grand sutradhar of Manipur — the Union home minister to whom the PM has abdicated and outsourced all responsibility for the state — reading it? How long will the excruciating agony of the people of Manipur continue like this?”
