Once bitten MSCP still not shy

Imphal, June 05: The Slate BJP today clarified that there has been no formal intimation from the MSCP for its merger to the former at the party level though the party (MSCP) has sent feeders to the Central BJP leaders on the issue. The MSCP reportedly turned towards BJP after its bid to merge with the Congress party tailed. MSCP president and MP Th Chaoba is spearheading the move and is currently in Delhi. BJP MLA and State unit president Meinam Bhorot confirmed the development to The Sangai Express today. However 110 formal applications have been received by the State BJP. Stating that the BJP Central leadership has neither asked the State unit's opinion on the matter nor has given any instruction, he said this could be due to the possibility that the Central leadership has not taken a final decision on the matter. To a question whether the State unit has discussed the matter of the merger, Bhorot admitted there has been non-formal discussions to find out under what conditions the MSCP is trying to merge with the BJP in particular and the Opposition DPA in general. A communiqu? from the side of the State BJP to the Central leaders is yet to be sent as a clear picture on the issue is yet to emerge at the moment, he added. The president further said it is also not clear whether the seven MLAs excluding Chaoba would carry out the merger or whether it will be a matter of just some MSCP MLAs. Stating that the BJP does not want to pull down the Government in the prevailing circumstances and is waiting for the Ministry to fall on its own, he however issued a veiled threat to the ruling Front saying there are also "limitations" to its patience. Disclosing that there have been occasions where the central leadership had given the nod to the State unit for installing a BJP Govt in Manipur, Bhorot claimed that the Centre has no confidence that the SPF Government will be able to better financial condition of the State. On the other hand, the Centre has full confidence in a BJP led Government in Manipur and is ready to back it, he added. When asked whether there won't be any leadership crisis in the event of Govt formation, Bhorot said for the present all the DPA members have affirmed their support to M Nillachandra. The issue of a new leadership may arise at the time of Government formation after some new MLAs join the alliance. The BJP leader further clarified that it will not give any opposition to Nillachandra heading an alternative Govt if he can muster the required number.