N Biren Singh was on Monday unanimously elected leader of the BJP legislature party in Manipur. He met Governor Najma Heptulla to stake claim to form the next government.
Incumbent Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh had already staked his claim to form a government on Sunday night.
Sources said Biren met the governor at the Raj Bhavan. “N Biren Singh has been unanimously elected leader of the BJP legislature party. He is the party’s chief ministerial candidate,” Union minister Piyush Goel told reporters.
Goel said they enjoyed the support of smaller parties.
The governor, however, stuck to what he had told Ibobi Singh, that he would have to resign first to pave the way for a government formation. “I have not received till today (Monday) any resignation from the chief minister though I told him yesterday (Sunday) I can start the process of government formation only after you resign,” Heptulla said.
In his meeting with Heptulla on Sunday night, Ibobi had flaunted a list of 28 Congress legislators. He also claimed to have the support of four National People’s Party MLAs. Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and state Congress president T N Haokip had accompanied him to the Raj Bhavan.
A Raj Bhavan source said, “On seeing the names of the four NPP MLAs on an ordinary piece of paper, Heptullah asked Ibobi to bring the NPP president and the MLAs.” The governor said it was her duty to cross-check claims and counter-claims and that she would not accept an ordinary piece of paper as the “letter of support” unless she meets the NPP MLAs, the source said.
Ibobi Singh told reporters that he would resign by Tuesday to facilitate the process of government formation. He, however, argued that with the Congress emerging as the single largest party, he should be given the first opportunity to form the government. “I am ready for a floor test and I have the numbers with me,” he said.
The BJP leadership with their 21 MLAs had met the governor on Sunday. They were accompanied by the NPP president and the four MLAS of his party and the LJP and TMC MLAs, besides one of the Congress.
The BJP has claimed support of 32 MLAs in the 60-member Assembly. The party also submitted a letter from the Naga People’s Front president pledging their support to the BJP, the source said.