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Manipur government reduced to a minority

The Wahengbam Nipamacha Singh government in Manipur has been reduced to a minority with eight legislators, including seven ministers, joining the opposition camp late on Saturday.

Chief Minister Nipamacha Singh now has the support of only 27 legislators in the 60-member assembly. The opposition Manipur Democratic Front has 32. One seat is vacant following the death of state Samata Party president W Basanta Kumar.

Eight legislators, including the vice-chairman of the state planning board, deserted the chief minister's camp, which was being zealously guarded by Nipamacha Singh, and joined the opposition camp at Speaker Dhananjoy Singh's bungalow.

Four of the defecting ministers had Cabinet rank.

Those who crossed over are: Sports Minister M Hemanta, Sericulture Minister Hnangkhkampao, Revenue Minister T S Vira, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Board M L Jatra, Public Health Engineering Minister Sonjaman Haokoip, Public Works Department Minister Mongaibaou, Minority and Backward Minister Allaudddin and legislator A M Choungkheosai.

Earlier, on Friday, the Manipur State Congress Party, a major constituent of the ruling United Legislature Front in the state, decided to withdraw support to the National Democratic Alliance at the Centre and ask its only member of Parliament, Minister of State for Food Processing Th Chaoba Singh, to quit the government.

The MSCP's decision came after remarks by some national leaders demanding President's rule in Manipur in the wake of the constitutional crisis caused by the speaker's failure to reconvene the House after adjourning it sine die on December 1, the opening day of the winter session, after admitting a no-confidence motion against Nipamacha Singh.

The crisis was triggered when the speaker failed to attend a meeting of ruling ULF members called to express faith in Nipamacha Singh's leadership on November 15.

Subsequently, he criticized the state government, accusing it of financial indiscipline and failure to maintain law and order.

Later, opposition members camping in the speaker's bungalow projected him as the next chief minister.

The MDF comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party, Samata Party, Nationalist Congress Party and Manipur People's Party.

UNI

EARLIER REPORTS:
Stage set for ouster of Congress government in Manipur
Speaker claims inability to convene assembly

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