Lagatar24 Desk
Imphal: In a sharp rebuke of the Manipur government, National People’s Party (NPP) president and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma announced the withdrawal of support to the BJP-led Biren Singh government amidst escalating violence in the state. Sangma emphasized that the decision targets the state leadership, not the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), and left the door open for reconsideration if a leadership change occurs.
The BJP, which holds 37 of the 60 seats in the Manipur Assembly, remains unaffected numerically by the NPP’s withdrawal. However, the move sends a strong message regarding the handling of the ongoing crisis.
Criticism of Trust Deficit in Governance
In his statement, Sangma criticized the lack of trust-building measures in Manipur. “The situation has worsened in the past week. Despite our discussions with central BJP leaders, no concrete steps were taken to rebuild trust. This trust deficit is why peace efforts are failing,” he remarked.
The NPP chief asserted that his party had hoped for an improvement in the situation but had lost confidence in Chief Minister Biren Singh’s leadership. “We believe the current leadership is unable to bring about a resolution. Violence cannot solve the issue, but sentiments in the region are running high,” he added, urging the central government to intervene.
NPP’s Stand on NDA Alliance
Sangma clarified that the NPP’s withdrawal of support was specific to the state government. “We remain part of the NDA. If there is a leadership change and it results in positive developments, we might reconsider our decision,” he stated.
Letter to BJP Leadership
The NPP’s withdrawal was formalized in a letter addressed to BJP President JP Nadda, citing the Manipur government’s failure to restore normalcy. The letter called for immediate action to address the escalating crisis.
Manipur Violence Update
The situation in Manipur remains dire, with at least 19 fatalities reported in Jiribam district this month. Ethnic clashes, which began last year, continue to disrupt the region. Curfews have been imposed in several areas, and the Union Home Ministry has instructed security forces to take all necessary steps to restore peace.
