Jaitley denies leadership tussle

IMPHAL, February 8: Samata Party president Jaya Jaitley today said her party has no differences with the BJP over the leadership issue in the Opposition Manipur Democratic Front. Addressing newsmen here, Jaitley stressed the need to topple the present W. Nipamacha Singh-led United Front of Manipur ministry for an effective government. The Opposition camp, which was backing Speaker Sapam Dhananjoy in the battle against Nipamacha Singh, has been unable to split the UFM. One of the reasons for the Opposition's failure to topple the UFM ministry was the intense leadership tussle between BJP legislature wing leader R.K. Dorendra Singh and Samata legislature party leader Radhabinod Koijam. Jaitley, however, denied any leadership tussle between her party and the BJP in Manipur. "We do not see it as a crisis. The leadership issue of the MDF would be settled in a democratic manner," she said. Jaitley said the Samata Party was capable of leading the Opposition if Nipamacha ministry is toppled. She said the formula of the single largest party leading the government should also be applied in Manipur. "This is the formula accepted in other states and we hope it will also be accepted in Manipur," Jaitley said. Saying her party was the largest party in the Opposition camp, the Samata chief said they should be given the leadership as per democratic tradition. Earlier in the day, BJP's national secretary in charge of Manipur, P.B. Acharya, told newsmen at state BJP headquarters that the leadership issue of the Opposition MDF was still open. Acharya said the new leader of the MDF would be elected democratically and enjoy the support of the majority of the MLAs. Both Jaitley and Acharya blasted the Nipamacha Singh ministry for its failures in all spheres. On the implementation of the 26-point action plan submitted to Union home minister L.K. Advani by Chief Minister Nipamacha Singh, Jaitley said there was more violation of the action plan by the UFM government than its positive action. She said the action plan was a ploy of Nipamacha Singh to buy more time from the Centre. Reiterating the Samata Party's demand for the imposition of President's rule in Manipur, Jaitley charged the Congress for not giving a green signal. She said the Congress has backed out from its earlier commitment and was unlikely to support Central rule in Manipur. Jaitley said the Samata Party still believes that Manipur is a fit case for invoking Article 356 of the Constitution. She demanded that the Congress show its responsibility to save the state from plunging into uncertainty. The Samata chief said the party only wants to change the prevailing trend of gun culture in Manipur and provide good governance.