IMPHAL, Feb 7: Manipur’s opposition Congress party has announced its intention to move a no-confidence motion against the N. Biren Singh-led government in the upcoming Manipur Assembly session, which is set to begin on February 10. The session will run until February 24, commencing with a customary speech by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla.
Keisham Meghachandra Singh, the President of the Congress party in Manipur, confirmed that the motion would be filed due to the BJP-led government’s failure to address the ongoing ethnic violence in the state. The Congress, which holds five seats in the 60-member Assembly, plans to challenge the government over its inability to resolve the crisis that has plagued the region since May 3, 2023.
In a post on social media platform X, Meghachandra Singh expressed confidence in the motion’s potential success, stating, “Brahmastra Missile will surely hit one of the Double Engines! Congress Party set to move No Confidence Motion anytime soon.” He also revealed that the National People’s Party (NPP) is likely to support the motion and may file one of its own. The NPP had previously withdrawn its support from the BJP-led government on November 17, 2023, citing the government’s failure to restore peace in the state.
Despite the NPP’s withdrawal, the BJP government, led by Biren Singh, remains in power with 37 MLAs. The party is also supported by five members of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) and three Independents. However, the death of NPP MLA N. Kayisii in January has reduced the party’s representation in the Assembly to six.
