Manipur CM Biren holds talks with NDA allies, NPF reaffirms support

Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh held a meeting with BJP MLAs and NDA allies to address the state's situation following NPP's withdrawal of support. NPF, with five legislators, pledged continued support to the BJP government, which maintains a majority with NPF, one JDU MLA, and three Independents.

GUWAHATI: Embattled Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh convened Monday a meeting with BJP MLAs and NDA allies to discuss the prevailing situation in the state amid NPP's withdrawal of support to the alliance. In a demonstration of allegiance, BJP's other ally, Naga People's Front (NPF), proclaimed its continued support to the state govt ahead of the meeting at the state secretariat in Imphal. "We continue to be part of the coalition," NPF functionary and minister Awangbow Newmai said.

NPF has five legislators in the 60-member House. Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma's NPP is the second largest party with seven legislators. The BJP government has a comfortable majority alongside NPF, one JDU legislator, and three Independents.

Last year, two MLAs of Kuki People's Alliance withdrew their support to Biren Singh government. The CM, a former footballer, has been facing flak from various quarters for his handling of the ethnic strife since 2023. On June 30 last year, he publicly stepped out to submit his resignation to the governor, only to be stopped by a crowd that had milled outside his residence to purportedly prevent him from quitting.

The six-hour drama culminated in a protester snatching and tearing what was supposed to be his resignation letter. Biren Singh later declared, "At this crucial juncture, I wish to clarify I will not be resigning from the post of CM.".