Merger impasse puts DPA in delicate situation

Imphal, May 26: With unrest emerging within the ruling SPF over the issue of MSCP's merger with the Congress, several MLAs of the Opposition DPA have reportedly started entertaining the idea of joining the O Ibobi led Government as they feel that the DPA leadership will not be able to foist an alternative Government. When The Sangai Express tried to ascertain the reports, DPA spokesman and MLA S Ibohal evaded a direct answer but said the Opposition MLAs are keeping close contact with each other and viewing the development together. On the alleged move by around ten MLAs of the FPM which is heading the DPA to join the Congress, as the possibility of forming an alternative Government by the DPA leadership appears remote at the moment, he said they have talked to all the MLAs and there will be no such dissension. He said the FPM which has 13 MLAs will take the responsibility of forming an alternative Government once the Congress led SPF Government crumbles on its own. The spokesman also asserted that the current DPA leadership is not final and would be replaced by a consensus candidate once the question of Government formation arises in the future. Another senior MLA belonging to a partner of the DPA expressed regret that the present Opposition leadership is weak and will not be able to lead an alternative Government. The DPA leader should be one who would be able to develop good relations with the NDA Government at the Centre especially when the issue of forming an alternative Government comes up. Claiming that he is one person who can become the DPA leader as he has been MLA for a number of times, the senior leader said he has not claimed for the post considering the situation the State is in currently. In the meantime, sources in the ruling Front has claimed that certain senior Opposition MLAs have proposed to it to jointly form a Government which is intimate to the Centre so as to work for improving the economic condition of the State. However the ruling members were adverse to the idea saying there is no threat to the SPF Government for the moment. The sources further said there will be no problem with the Government even in the event of the MSCP withdrawing from the Front as several members of the DPA particularly the FPM which is leading it have been toying with the idea of joining the ruling Front.