Manipur flux continues, Oppn eyes legal options

AROUND 250 PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN CLASHES THAT BEGAN BETWEEN THE MEITEI AND THE KUKI COMMUNITIES BUT HAVE SINCE ENGULFED THE ENTIRE STATE.

- Thomas Ngangom

IMPHAL: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmakers in Manipur met governor Ajay Bhalla for the third time in three days on Wednesday as the political stalemate over naming the next chief minister continued and the Opposition alleged that the prolonged delay was violating rules set by the Constitution.

The BJP's northeast in-charge Sambit Patra met Bhalla along with several legislators for almost an hour on Wednesday. Another legislator and cabinet minister, L Susindro, met Patra twice at a hotel in Imphal. "A development regarding the political instability can be expected in the next two days...The high command will decide on the next CM," said lawmaker Karam Shyam, who also met Patra.

But the Opposition pointed towards the deadline dictated by Article 174 (1) of the Constitution that says that the assembly, which was last adjourned on August 12, 2024, must be convened again within six months - February 12, 2025. The deadline lapsed on Wednesday, three days after Biren Singh resigned as chief minister on Sunday.

Manipur Congress chief Meghachandra Singh said the party will explore legal options because the assembly session was not convened. "We are exploring legal options. Ideally the assembly session should have been conveyed. The constitutional order is clear.

The BJP is unable to get the numbers to support their frontrunners. We may approach the governor if this continues and there is no development," he added.