Congress ex-CM stakes claim to form govt in Manipur

IMPHAL/GUWAHATI: Three-time former Manipur CM and Congress veteran Okram Ibobi Singh on Thursday staked claim to form a new Secular Progressive Front government in the state, replacing the BJP-led N Biren Singh ministry that was plunged into crisis on Wednesday after three MLAs of the saffron party quit and six others withdrew support.
In a letter to governor Najma Heptulla, the leader of the opposition said either a special assembly session must be convened to hold a floor test for the depleted Biren Singh-led coalition or Congress and its allies should be invited to form the next government.
Ibobi Singh cited the possible outcome of a pending disqualification case against seven Congress MLAs who had defected to BJP in 2017, only to return to the party, as one of the reasons why he was confident of cobbling together a new government.
“In the event the Speaker gives his ruling in the disqualification cases in favour of the seven MLAs of Congress, the effective House strength rises to 56 members. This would also mean that Congress’s strength will increase to 27 and that of SPF will rise to 33 MLAs (Congress 27, NPP 1, TMC 1 and 1 independent), while the BJP and its coalition partners will continue with a combined strength of 23,” the letter states. “Alternatively, since the present ministry is in the minority, it may be dismissed outright. To uphold the principle of democracy, Okram lhobi Singh, leader of the SPF, which commands a majority, may be invited to form the government.”
The governor has given Singh an appointment for Friday, hours after RS election.