NEWSLINKS US EDITION COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
Onkar Singh in New Delhi
The caretaker chief minister of Manipur, Radhabinod Koijam, has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party central leadership of playing a dubious role in the state's politics.
At a crowded press conference on Wednesday at Manipur Bhavan in the capital, Koijam demanded immediate imposition of President's rule in the state.
Koijam -- who headed the Samata Party-led coalition government in Manipur -- lost a vote of confidence on May 21 after BJP MLAs, disregarding a central directive, voted against the motion.
Though the ruling National Democratic Alliance under pressure from the Samata Party -- a key ally in the Union government -- blocked its state unit's plan to form an alternate government, it has not been able to prevent a revolt in the party.
On Tuesday, BJP's general secretary in-charge of Manipur, Padmanabh Acharya, confirmed that 16 of BJP's 26 MLAs in Manipur have quit the party.
Koijam, however, claimed that the split in the BJP state legislature group was engineered by the party's central leadership so that it could ally with smaller groups at a later date and form the government.
He alleged that the BJP is now trying to cause a split in the Samata Party. "But my party is solid like a rock. It is impossible to divide us," he said.
Launching a scathing attack on Manipur speaker Dr S Dhananjoy Singh, who surprised everyone when he met the governor on Tuesday and staked claim to form the government, Koijam said his claim is constitutionally invalid because he still holds the speaker's office.
Calling Dhananjoy Singh a man of dubious character, he said: "He is morally bankrupt, irresponsible and unprincipled man."
"I have written a letter to the governor and requested him to not entertain Dhananjoy Singh's claim," Koijam added.
He said the Goa precedent -- where the assembly speaker was not allowed to form a government -- must be followed in Manipur too.
ALSO SEE: Dhananjoy Singh stakes claim to form Manipur ministry 19 of BJP's 26 MLAs in Manipur quit party President's rule likely in Manipur
Back to top
Tell us what you think of this report
