By Web Desk
New Delhi: Following the renewed ethnic violence that has disturbed Manipur, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government has suffered a setback. The National People’s Party (NPP), led by Conrad Sangma, has withdrawn its support from the alliance that is headed by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. The withdrawal comes after the ongoing law and order breakdown in the state for over a year. The NPP’s departure from the alliance highlights the growing dissatisfaction with the BJP’s handling of the situation.
The NPP is the second-largest party in the alliance, and although it has seven members in the 60-member Manipur Legislative Assembly, the BJP still retains a majority with 37 seats. Even without NPP’s support, the BJP-led government has the backing of 46 members, ensuring that the government’s stability is not immediately threatened.
Meanwhile, as ethnic clashes continue to spread in Manipur, the possibility of central intervention is being considered. Protests erupted yesterday, with demonstrators attempting to storm the residence of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, as well as attacking the homes of BJP and Congress legislators.
In light of the escalating violence, the central government has started to treat the Manipur issue as urgent. Home Minister Amit Shah, who had been in Mumbai for party events, cut short his visit and returned to Delhi. Reports suggest that he has called an emergency meeting to assess the situation in the northeastern states, including Manipur, amidst the ongoing unrest.
