Manipur political tussle: BJP claims ‘clear majority’ supported by '33 MLAs'

Now, the BJP says the party has the support of 33 MLAs to form the next government in Manipur.

Imphal, March 14: The political crisis in Manipur continues as both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress claim to have the numbers to form the next government in the state. Now, the BJP claims to have the support of 33 MLAs. Convener of North-East Democratic Alliance, Himanta Biswa Sarma, says the BJP has the support of 33 MLAs. Thus the saffron party has a clear majority to form the next government in the trouble-torn northeastern state.

"In the house of 60 in Manipur,@BJP4India has d support of 33 MLAs now. Congress is now only 27. No confusion.It's a clear majority," Sarma tweeted on Monday. However, the senior minister of Assam, who has been closely monitoring the BJP's affairs in the neighbouring Manipur, did not provide a break-up of the numbers.

In the 60-member Manipur Assembly, a party (with or without allies) needs the support of 31 MLAs to stake its claim to form the government. Although the Congress has secured 28 seats, getting the maximum seats in the 60-member Manipur Assembly in the recently concluded elections, the BJP with 21 seats has staked its claim to form the next government in the state.

On Sunday, the BJP submitted a list of 32 legislators to Manipur Governor Najma Heptullah, claiming the support of 11 other MLAs -- four of Naga People's Front, four National People's Party, one Lok Janshakti Party, one Independent and one Trinamool Congress Party.

Meanwhile, the BJP unanimously elected N Biren Singh as the leader of the legislature party on Monday. If the party comes to power in the state, Singh will be the next chief minister of Manipur.

On the Congress' front, after much-delay, incumbent Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh tendered his resignation on Monday. However, the former CM said he was ready for a floor test and expressed confidence that he has the numbers with him.

OneIndia News