Headlines       Vol. 1 Issue 34-35

Jan 22-Feb 6 , 1999

Congress, MPP join hands to dislodge Nipamacha Although Manipur Chief Minister W. Nipamacha Singh is expressing confidence that his   Government will last its full term, in a move to upset his apple cart, opposition Congress and the Manipur Peoples' Party (MPP) have reportedly joined hands. The MPP which was till recently a partner in the ruling coalition, has now decided to join hands with the Congress. According to MPP president O. Joysingh his party would not hesitate to join hands with all anti-Nipamacha forces of the State. Besides the party's political affairs committee has asked its leaders to explore the possibility of toppling the Nipamacha ministry with the help of other parties. The MPP has termed the present regime as anti-people. According to sources MPP is keen on forming a Congress-led Government in the State. Moreover the party has demanded immediate dismissal of the government. A delegation of the party leaders led by O. Joy Singh recently called on the Governor O.N. Shrivastava and pressed for the State Government's dismissal. The leaders asked the Governor to dismiss the government on charges of corruption and failure in all spheres. This is the first time that the MPP formally demanded dismissal of the Nipamacha Government after withdrawing support.On the other hand, the Congress had asked the Governor to stall any move by the Chief Minister to expand his ministry.Submitting a memorandum to the Governor, Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader Radhabinod Koijam urged the former not to allow the expansion of the ministry as the present financial condition of the State do not permit any such exercise.Mr. Koijam further stated that the State was facing an acute liquidity crunch and an expansion of the Ministry would mean unnecessary burden on the exchequer. According to sources Manipur Chief Minister Nipamacha Singh inclined to induct the lone BJP assembly members C. Doundel into the ministry. It is also observed that the Chief Minister want to kill two birds with one stone by inducting the BJP legislator. While Doundel's entry into the ministry will resist the Central Government to take any drastic action against the Manipur Government over his alleged failure on the law and order front, at the same time it would pave way for lone MSC MP Chauba Singh's entry in the Union Cabinet. But not only from the opposition, this move has faced a stiff resistance from the CPI, a member of the ruling coalition also. The CPI has demanded a meeting of the core committee of the ruling coalition. The CPI wanted to discuss the reported more on expansion of the ministry at the meeting. Meanwhile the BJP has categorically stated that it would not allow the formation of a Congress-led government in the State. The State unit of the party has urged its central leaders to send a political observer to oversee the prevailing political situation in the State. The party is currently supporting the Nipamacha Singh Government from outside.

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