Slighted Opposition demands unqualified apology from Nipamacha

IMPHAL, January 19: Opposition spokesman O Joy today categorically stated that unless the chief minister tenders an unqualified apology to the Opposition for its utterances the Opposition would not attend the joint meeting called by the Speaker tomorrow to discuss the reconvening of the House. The chief minister had earlier stated that he would never share the same table with the Opposition. Speaking to reporters at the Speaker's official bungalow this evening the MPP MLA said the Opposition will not take the statement of the Chief Minister lightly. He added such mindless utterance is highly deplorable. Joy said it is unbecoming of a Chief minister to let loose such mindless talks and added the statement show how uncultured the Chief Minister is. The fiery MPP leader said if the chief minister wants the Opposition to come to the joint meeting slated for tomorrow at 2 pm then he should intimate his unconditional apology through the Speaker. If the chief minister fails to apologise then Opposition will not turn up for the meeting, he said. Mention may be made here that the Speaker had earlier invited both the ruling and Opposition to the joint meeting to discuss the reconvening of the House and take up the pending no-confidence motion against the Government. The Speaker had earlier called a joint meeting on December 15 but the ruling members had stayed away. Joy further said the Opposition will extend all possible co-operations to the Speaker when the House is reconvened. He said the Opposition wants to discuss the no confidence motion on the floor of the House in detail. He assured that the Opposition will rely on democratic norms and strategies to dethrone the present regime. On the Action Plan, O Joy said the Nipamacha Government is merely buying time and trying to bluff the Centre. He aid the UF regime will not be able to implement any of the time bound clauses in the Plan. The Opposition spokesman further said the purported statement of Union Joint Secretary for Home, GK Pillai that cease fire between the Centre and the NSCN(IM) may be extended to Naga inhabited areas is uncalled for. He added if necessary a delegation of the Manipur Democratic Front would leave for Delhi to present their case to the Union leaders.