IMPHAL, Dec 24: Manipur’s Law and Legislative Affairs Minister, Thounaojam Basantakumar Singh, has defended the state government’s handling of the legislative assembly sessions after the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) accused the BJP-led government of violating constitutional provisions by failing to convene three sessions in 2024. The Congress had specifically raised concerns about the Autumn, Budget, and Winter sessions not being held this year.

During a press conference at the DIPR conference hall on Tuesday, Basantakumar dismissed these allegations as unfounded. He clarified that, according to Article 174 of the Indian Constitution, the state legislature must meet at least twice a year, with no more than six months between two sessions. “Congress’s allegations that we violated the Indian Constitution are false. The law requires only two sessions a year, not three,” Basantakumar stated.

While the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Manipur Legislative Assembly suggest three sessions annually, Basantakumar explained that the state government had adhered to the constitutional requirements by convening the assembly at least twice a year, fulfilling the minimum mandated by Article 174. He also pointed out that under the previous Congress-led government, there were instances in 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2016, where only two sessions were held.

The Law Minister further emphasized that while the state government held three sessions annually from 2017 to 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and the law and order challenges following the May 3, 2023, incident had disrupted the state’s ability to meet the usual session frequency. Despite these setbacks, he assured that the government remains committed to implementing constitutional and legislative provisions.

In response to former Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh’s criticism, Basantakumar reiterated that there was no violation of the Constitution. “The allegations by the Congress are without merit. We have always made full efforts to comply with the constitutional requirements, even though exceptional circumstances such as the pandemic and ongoing instability affected our ability to do so,” he added.