Displaying his political strength and support, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday paraded ministers and ruling MLAs, including the Speaker, before the Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya at the Raj Bhawan in Imphal.
According to information available to the media, as many as 20 legislators of the ruling government took part in the parade.
During this show of force, the chief minister reportedly submitted an eight-point charter of demands to the central government, addressing the prevailing situation in Manipur.
Speculation is rife that CM Biren has reportedly threatened to resign if the central government fails to act on the demands, which include granting him leadership of the Unified Command authority to tackle the law and order situation.
Sources close to the situation revealed that the demands include critical measures such as ensuring peace and non-violence, abrogating the SoO agreements, maintaining the state’s territorial integrity, and completing border fencing.
Additionally, the demands emphasised the implementation of the FMR in letter and spirit, and conducting NRC with a base year of 1961 to address concerns over illegal migrants.
Sunday’s high profile parade followed a private meeting between the chief minister and the governor, which lasted over 30 minutes on Saturday night, amid an intense round of political manoeuvring with ruling party MLAs at the chief minister’s bungalow.
The political landscape appears divided, with reports indicating a split within the ruling MLAs.
The chief minister’s bid to show his strength and support included some loyal ministers like Works Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Education Minister Th Basantakumar, Health Minister Dr S Ranjan, Social Welfare Minister H Dingo and PHED minister L Sushildro notable absentees included Minister Th Biswajit and Y Khemchand, MLAs Th Radheshyam (former minister), L Rameshor of Keirao and others in the said parade.
The absence of the ruling legislators, reportedly known for advocating leadership changes, further highlighted the internal discord within the ruling coalition.
The backdrop to these developments includes recent security challenges, notably drone bombings and missile attacks by Kuki militants in valley districts, resulting in civilian and state force casualties.
The Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) had earlier declared a “public emergency” on Friday highlighting the urgency of addressing security concerns.
Till the filing of this report, neither legislators nor the chief minister had made any public statements regarding these developments, leaving the political situation in Manipur on a precipice of uncertainty and speculation.
Meanwhile, a press release from the Raj Bhavan stated that CM N. Biren Singh, along with the Speaker, Council of Ministers and ruling MLAs, met with the Governor of Manipur, Lakshman Prasad Acharya at Raj Bhavan in Imphal, and submitted a memorandum.
However, the Raj Bhavan did not mention anything about the content of the memorandum.
