Nipamacha loses majority

IMPHAL, February 11: Union minister T Chaoba Singh and eight MSCP MLAs today joined the Opposition camp in a major twist to the three-month-long political crisis dogging Manipur since mid-November. The move has effectively reduced the 11-month-old Nipamacha Singh-led MSCP-FPM coalition ministry into a minority one with only 27 members out of the 59-member Manipur Assembly. The death of Samata Party MLA W Basanta had recently reduced the 60-member Assembly to 59. Chaoba Singh, working president of the ruling MSCP also expelled MSCP president, W Nipamacha along with six other ministers, including the deputy Chief Minister Chandramani Singh, allegedly for anti-party activities. Speaking to reporters soon after he landed from New Delhi today he said Nipamacha Singh and his deputy along with five ministers have been expelled from the party for six years and their primary membership suspended. He gave different reasons for the expulsion and said the central executive members in an emergency meeting had decided on the expulsion. Other ministers who have been expelled include tribal and welfare minister Samuel Jendai, information minister Kunjo, Ksh Biren, IFCD and agriculture minister Rajen, and P Achou. Reacting to the Chief Minister's announcement that the MSCP was breaking away from the NDA, the Union minister said the executive members of the party should decide on the party policy and not MLAs. "There was no question of breaking away from the NDA of which the MSCP is a partner," he added. The executive meeting today resolved to continue being the partner of the NDA. A true NDA government, which has been alluding the state even though it was being ruled by an NDA partner, the MSCP, is now on the way, he said. He asked Nipamacha Singh to gracefully resign as he has been turned into a minority. This is second time the Nipamacha Singh camp has suffered defection after the difference between him and Speaker S Dhananjoy became open. Two MLAs of the Federal Party of Manipur along with two NCP MLAs had left the ruling party and joined the Opposition, reducing it to 35 members from a strength of 39 out of a 60-member Assembly. The latest wave has reduced it to a 27-member coalition (MSCP- 22, FPM-4, Independent-one) in a House of 59. With this development the constitutional crisis which had been looming after the Speaker and Nipamacha Singh refused to meet and resolve the difference and convene the session which had been adjourned sine die on 1 December after admitting a no confidence motion against the Chief Minister, is averted.