The political landscape in Manipur has witnessed major developments following the filing of disqualification petitions by the Manipur Congress against four National People’s Party (NPP) Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). The petitions were submitted to the Speaker’s Tribunal of the Manipur Legislative Assembly on Monday, with the Congress alleging that the four MLAs had defied the party’s official stance and extended support to the BJP-led state government, despite the NPP severing ties with the ruling front two months ago.
Background of the Disqualification Petitions
The petitions were filed by Hareshwar Goshwami, the Vice-President of the Manipur Congress. According to Goshwami, the MLAs named in the petition violated party discipline by supporting the BJP government and participating in meetings organized by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh for the ruling MLAs. This was despite the NPP’s official withdrawal of support from the BJP-led government in Manipur in November 2024.
The petition highlights the growing rift between the NPP and the BJP in the state. The NPP, which had been a part of the BJP-led coalition government, decided to withdraw its support to the BJP, citing the inability of the Chief Minister to resolve the prevailing violence and restore normalcy in the region. Despite the NPP’s official stance, the four MLAs allegedly continued to show allegiance to the BJP, which has raised concerns within the Congress party.
The NPP’s Position on the Matter
The four NPP MLAs in question are Mayanglambam Rameshwar Singh from the Kakching Assembly Constituency, Thongam Shanti Singh from the Moirang Assembly Constituency, Irengbam Nalini Devi from the Oinam Assembly Constituency, and Janghemlung Panmei from the Tamenglong Assembly Constituency. These MLAs attended a meeting convened by the Chief Minister for BJP and its allies, despite explicit instructions from the NPP’s national leadership not to participate in such gatherings.
The NPP’s decision to withdraw support from the BJP was formally communicated on November 17, 2024. In a statement, the NPP expressed its dissatisfaction with the way the state government had handled the ongoing crisis in Manipur, including the failure to restore peace after widespread violence. The party also made it clear that it would resume support to the BJP-led government only if Chief Minister N. Biren Singh was replaced, accusing him of mismanaging the state’s affairs.
However, the four MLAs named in the disqualification petition continued to engage with the BJP government and attended meetings organized by the Chief Minister. This act of defiance prompted Manipur Congress to take legal action, accusing these MLAs of undermining the party’s decision and violating party discipline.
Legal Context of the Disqualification Petitions
The petitions filed by Goshwami argue that the actions of the four NPP MLAs constitute a breach of the Anti-Defection Law, which prohibits legislators from switching allegiance to a political party without facing disqualification. The Congress party’s legal counsel, advocate Bupenda Meitei, referred to the Meghachandra case in the Supreme Court, which mandates that disqualification petitions be decided within three months from the date of filing. Meitei expressed confidence that the Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly would expedite the disqualification process in accordance with the law.
The case has attracted considerable attention due to the larger implications it holds for the balance of power in the Manipur Legislative Assembly. The disqualification of these MLAs would significantly impact the political dynamics in the state, potentially weakening the NPP’s influence in the legislature.
Implications for the NPP-BJP Relationship
The political situation in Manipur is evolving rapidly, with the Congress pushing for the disqualification of the four NPP MLAs, thereby intensifying the pressure on the NPP to clarify its position. The NPP’s alliance with the BJP has been under strain for several months, and this latest development underscores the deepening divide between the two parties.
For the BJP, the loyalty of its allies is crucial to maintaining its hold on power in the state. The NPP’s withdrawal of support, coupled with the defection of certain MLAs, complicates the party’s efforts to maintain a stable coalition government. The BJP has maintained that it will continue to work with all its allies in the state, but the ongoing political tussle indicates that the road ahead may not be smooth.
The filing of disqualification petitions is just the latest episode in the volatile political environment in Manipur. The state has been grappling with internal strife and violence, and the political instability has further complicated efforts to restore peace. With the Congress making a bold move to challenge the NPP MLAs in the Speaker’s Tribunal, it remains to be seen how the Speaker and other relevant authorities will respond to these petitions.