"44 MLAs Ready To Form Manipur Government": BJP MLA After Meeting Governor

In a big political development in Manipur, which is under President's Rule, BJP MLA and former minister Thokchom Radheshyam has said "all 44 MLAs" have agreed to form the government "as per the wishes of the people", but the final decision will be taken by the central leadership.

Mr Radheshyam made the statement on Wednesday, after he and nine other MLAs met Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan in Imphal.

"All 44 MLAs have agreed to form a popular government as per the wishes of the people. MLAs are ready to form the government. We have conveyed this to the governor. We also discussed possible solutions for issues (plaguing the state). 10 MLAs visited the governor as representatives to explain our position... the final decision will be taken by the central leadership," the legislator from Heirok assembly constituency said.

"The governor took note of what we said and assured us he will take whatever action is in the best interest of the people," he said.  

In a statement released after the meeting, the governor's office also said the MLAs brought up various issues.

"10 MLAs called on Governor of Manipur, Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan in Imphal today and discussed the law & order and political situation in the State. The issues they discussed included, among others, initiating peace process based on mutual understanding and strengthening of security arrangements. Further, they urged the Governor to expedite the formation of a popular government in the State. They also submitted a memorandum to the Governor on these issues," the statement said. 

Manipur has been under President's Rule since February after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned. Mr Singh had been under fire for his handling of the violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities, which broke out in May 2023 and has claimed over 260 lives and left thousands displaced. 

The Manipur Assembly has a strength of 60, of which one seat is vacant. The BJP-led coalition consists of 44 MLAs, 37 of whom are from the party. 

Biren Singh Meeting

Former chief minister Biren Singh also met Governor Bhalla on Tuesday to discuss the situation in the state. One of the main items on the agenda, sources said, was the incident that occurred in Gwaltabi on May 20, sparking protests in the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley.

Security forces had reportedly stopped a bus chartered by the Department of Information and Public Relations on which journalists were being taken to cover the Shirui Lily festival in Ukhrul district and asked for the state's name, written on the windshield, to be covered. The bus was supposed to pass through some Kuki-dominated villages on its way to Ukhrul, and the community has been demanding a separate administration carved out of the state.