In the midst of the ongoing Parliament session, a group of NDA MLAs from Manipur arrived in Delhi on Friday to seek a resolution to the ongoing ethnic conflict in the state.
According to sources, at least seven MLAs from the BJP and its ally, the Naga People’s Front (NPF), have reached the national capital.
This move follows a meeting chaired by Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh with NDA MLAs on Thursday.
The meeting was attended by MLAs from the BJP, NPF, NPP, and JD(U), but excluded the 10 Kuki-Zomi legislators.
Several MLAs reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of the crisis and conveyed the public pressure they were experiencing.
The ethnic strife in Manipur began 14 months ago, in May 2023, and has shown little sign of abating.
K. Ibomcha Singh, a BJP MLA and Manipur BJP spokesperson stated that the legislators came to Delhi to pay a "courtesy call" to the central leadership.
"We had a meeting of NDA MLAs chaired by the Chief Minister, where we decided to meet the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and other senior leaders to request a solution to the problem in the state. Some others will arrive tomorrow, and the Chief Minister will come later after securing an appointment," he said.
Singh pointed out that the Manipur issue is included in the 100-day programme for the new central government, and that the delegation intends to pursue central leaders to address the issue as a priority.
The movement of MLAs to Delhi has sparked speculation about potential trouble for the state government.
However, Chief Minister Biren Singh dismissed these concerns, asserting that the visit was not politically motivated but a courtesy call to the Prime Minister.
"The Prime Minister and Union Home Minister are doing their best to address the challenges confronting the state. The Parliament session's schedule has prevented all of us from being there simultaneously, but we will visit New Delhi and press for peace in the state," he said.
A BJP MLA who attended Thursday’s meeting said that legislators had highlighted the persistent discontent among the populace.
"For 14 months, there has been no normalcy. This discontent was evident in the Lok Sabha election results, where both seats in Manipur, previously held by NDA MPs, were won by the Congress. The MLAs are feeling the public's dissatisfaction. During previous visits to Delhi, the response from the Centre was inadequate. Many MLAs now seek a final, decisive message from the leadership," the MLA said.
Another legislator from a BJP ally noted the lack of a concrete plan despite the MLAs expressing their displeasure and anger.
"We are under immense public pressure. The MLAs decided to go to Delhi and seek an appointment with the Prime Minister to convey that there has been no normalcy for over a year and that a drastic political decision is needed. We want concrete action to be taken," the legislator stated.
The Manipur assembly comprises 60 MLAs, including 10 from the Kuki-Zomi community, who have abstained from participating in the assembly since the violence began.
Of the remaining 50 MLAs, five are from the opposition Congress and two are Independents, while the rest are aligned with the NDA.
The BJP won 32 of the 60 assembly seats in the 2022 elections, with five JD(U) MLAs joining the BJP later that year.
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