11 MLAs skip NDA meet; 7 others on leave in Manipur : Crisis Deepens in Manipur: CM’s Meeting Exposes Growing Rift Within BJP

Agencies, Guwahati, Nov 19, 2024 : The political turbulence in Manipur continues to escalate, with deepening divisions within the BJP-led government. A meeting called by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Monday night, intended to address the state’s worsening law and order situation, saw low attendance, signaling rising discontent within the ruling coalition.

Out of 60 MLAs in the Manipur Assembly, only 27 attended the meeting. Seven MLAs were absent with prior notice, citing medical or personal reasons, while 11 skipped the meeting without providing any explanation. Of these, nine are BJP legislators, one belongs to the National People's Party (NPP), and one is an Independent. Notices have been issued to those who failed to attend.

This meeting, convened to deliberate on the deteriorating security conditions and escalating ethnic tensions, comes amid mounting criticism of the Chief Minister's handling of the ongoing conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. The absences highlighted a clear divide, as 19 of the 37 BJP MLAs boycotted the session, exposing fissures within the party.

An insider from the BJP acknowledged the growing dissatisfaction within the party ranks, stating, “There are signs of discontent among MLAs, primarily due to the handling of the ethnic conflict. Although this won’t impact the government’s majority for now, the unrest cannot be ignored.”

Adding to the turmoil, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized the NDA government in Manipur, highlighting the low attendance in a post on X: 

“Last night, the CM of Manipur called a meeting of all NDA MLAs. Only 26 showed up, four of whom belong to the NPP, which has officially withdrawn its support to the CM. The writing on the wall is clear. But is the Union Home Minister, the PM’s delegate on Manipur, paying attention?”

Ramesh further claimed that signatures of three MLAs supposedly present at the meeting had been forged, suggesting the actual attendance was even lower.

The meeting came after a call by the Committee on Manipur Integrity (Cocomi), a Meitei-based civil society group, urging decisive action against armed Kuki-Zo militants. The trigger was the abduction and murder of six Meitei relief camp inmates in Jiribam, allegedly by Kuki-Zo militants.

A resolution adopted at the meeting endorsed the state cabinet’s recommendations, including a review of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in six police station areas and a mass operation against the perpetrators of the Jiribam killings. The MLAs demanded immediate action, including handing over the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and declaring the responsible Kuki militants as an unlawful organization within seven days.

Cocomi, however, expressed dissatisfaction, demanding a broader crackdown on all Kuki-Zo militant groups. They issued a 24-hour ultimatum, threatening to intensify protests if their demands were not met.

The BJP-led coalition in Manipur consists of 37 BJP MLAs, with support from five Naga People’s Front (NPF) legislators and three Independents. The Congress, with five MLAs, is in the Opposition alongside the Kuki People’s Alliance (KPA) and Janata Dal United (JDU). The NPP, which recently withdrew its support, still saw three of its MLAs attend Monday’s meeting, indicating internal divisions within the party as well.

This political fragility underscores the challenges facing Biren Singh’s government, as the ethnic conflict continues to escalate, straining both governance and alliances within the NDA.

The absences at Monday’s meeting serve as a stark reminder of the fragile state of Manipur’s political and social fabric. With ethnic tensions unresolved and growing disillusionment within the ruling party, the road ahead appears fraught with uncertainty. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the government can restore stability or if the discontent will lead to further political fallout.