IMPHAL, Dec 7 ? For the first time, the Congress-led ruling Secular Progress Front government in the state is under threat from its constituent partner regional Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP).
Former cabinet minister and president of MSCP Moirangthem Hemanta speaking as chief guest in the 8th foundation day celebration of his party at the Kuki Inn here on Sunday, has disclosed, ?We will monitor the activities of the Ibobi led SPF government in the state.?
Calling for value-based politics, Hemanta said: ?Our party is not society based political party.? He said in the last Assembly election held in February 2002 his party secured seven seats but five of them split and joined the bandwagon of the Congress to see their greener pastures trampling the unprincipled political skullduggery.
He also called for strengthening the regional parties in the national political scenario. Concerning the poor economical situation the state is facing today, the former Youth Affairs and Sports Minister said resource mobilization is the best way for prosperity in the state. Regarding the uprising of the Apunba Lup, a collection of 32 organizations demanding withdrawal of Armed Forces (Special Power) Act 1958 from the state, Hemanta said his party is also demanding complete withdrawal of the Army Act from this state.
The MSCP was formed in 1997 after splitting from Congress due to factionalism in the party and came to the power of the state since 1997 December to 2001 February with Wanhengbam Nimapacha as the Chief Minister.
There are at present two MSCP MLAs in the 60-member Manipur Legislative Assembly. The present strength of the SPF is 40 ? Congress 33, CPI five and MSCP two. Chief Minister O Ibobi has not given any ministerial berth to the MSCP legislators though two ministerial portfolios have been allocated to the CPI. Ibobi, who is also president of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee, the chief partner of the SPF is playing political cards close to his chest. In the event of withdrawal of MSCP from his government, there is still majority in his government.