Manipur Samata voices full support to its Central leaders

IMPHAL, March 17: As the present political crisis in New Delhi deepens, the Samata Party-led People's Front Ministry in Manipur is preparing to give full co-operation to the party's national leaders. As the first step, the Samata Legislature Party meeting was hurriedly organised at the Chief Minister's Secretariat last evening to discuss the resignation of the Union Defence Minister and Samata Party leader George Fernandes and other Samata Party leaders from the Union Council of Ministers. The meeting of the Samata legislators which was presided over by Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam, discussed the resignation of the Union Defence Minister, Agriculture Minister Nitish Kumar and Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies V Srinivasan from the Council of Ministers and the resignation of Jaya Jaitely from the presidentship of Samata Party. All the Samata Party legislators expressed that the resignation of the Union Ministers was a right step to uphold moral uprightness in public life and also to uphold the morale of the armed forces, who are defending the country round the year. The meeting also resolved to solidly stand behind George Fernandes and Jaya Jaitely and other ministers of the party. It further resolved that the Union government be pressed to make an impartial inquiry into the allegation made against George Fernandes and Jaya Jaitely as soon as possible to find out the truth. The meeting of the Samata Party legislators was attended by Health Minister Nimaichand Luwang, Cooperation Minister Khumuk-cham Amutombi, Veterinary Minister N Nimai, Power Minister Moirangthem Okendra, Mahud Minister I Jayantakumar, Minister of State for PHE L Kerani and all the Samata Party legislators. Meanwhile, the all political parties' meeting of the State welcomed the one-month 'unilateral ceasefire' announced by the People's Front Ministry led by Radhabinod Koijam. Most of the leaders of the different political parties in this trouble-torn State expressed their desire to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur at the all-party meeting held yesterday at the Chief Minister's Secretariat prior to the Samata Party legislators' meet. The ex-Chief Ministers, Wahengbam Nipamacha and Rishang Keishing also attended the meeting representing their respective parties. Expressing his view over the announcement of the unilateral ceasefire by the People's Front Ministry, the lone Congress MLA in the 60-member House with an effective strength of 59 members and veteran politician Rishang Keishing also promised to extend all possible help while maintaining peace and harmony in Manipur. Among those present at the meeting were former Opposition leader and MPP president O Joy, CPI leader Ph Parijat, president of the BJP, Manipur unit Moinam Bhorot, president of Federal Party of Manipur, RJD leader, NCP and CMP leaders.