Imphal, June 8: The Manipur Opposition’s participation in the forthcoming Assembly budget session remains uncertain with the leaders of the Democratic People’s Alliance (DPA) refusing to attend the business advisory committee meeting. The Opposition parties also rejected an invitation by the Speaker to discuss the session.
The Opposition DPA, comprising the BJP, Federal Party of Manipur (FPM) and Manipur People’s Party (MPP), had boycotted the last two Assembly sessions, demanding resignation of Speaker T.N. Haokip.
At the business advisory committee meeting held yesterday, the participants decided to continue the Budget session till July 5. The decision was taken in the absence of the Opposition members, as the committee members, R.K. Dorendro Singh, M. Nilachandra Singh (FPM) and Okram Joy Singh (MPP), did not turn up.
The Speaker invited the Opposition members to his chamber today to discuss the smooth conduct of the business of the House. However, the Opposition leaders boycotted this meeting, too. Describing the Opposition’s decision to boycott the two meetings as “very shocking”, the Speaker said, “The Budget session is a very serious matter and the House has been convened to discuss issues that directly concern the state as well as the people.”
The Opposition parties have boycotted the sessions in protest against the Speaker’s refusal to step down on several charges, including involvement in the murder of taxation minister Francis Ngajokpa’s eight-year-old daughter, Lungnila Elizabeth.