Manipur might go for major bye election as many MLAs disqualified prior to Rajya Sabha polls: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Guwahati: With congress pressing for floor test after nine MLAs of BJP led government making an exit, Convenor of North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) Himanta Biswa Sarma said that Manipur might go for major bye election as many MLAS were disqualified prior to Rajya Sabha polls.

President of National People’s Party (NPP) Cornad Sangma and Sarma has launched massive reach out exercise after three Manipur BJP MLAs joined Congress and four National People's Party (NPP) MLAs, an independent MLA and Trinamool Congress MLA withdrew support to the BJP led government and expressed desire to support congress on Wednesday last week.

Sarma said that he will again go to Manipur on Tuesday. On Sunday Sarma was in Manipur.

Talking to media persons in Guwahati, he said, “I think the situation is more or less under control, tomorrow I am again going to Manipur. We are consulting with all our MLAs, things will be resolved nicely and there is nothing to worry.”

He added, “Discussions are in a very positive way, we are talking to each other and you will see good results in the next two to three days.”

Sarma said that one cannot say there will be the same picture for several MLAS were disqualified prior to Rajya Sabha polls on Friday so a major bye election will be there as once the speaker passed certain order that cannot be revoked.

“Architecture may be different. We will continue with the spirit of NEDA and NDA. Everything will be solved and addressed within the next two to three days. Things will be in place,” Sarma said.

When asked if the leadership change on cards for NPP MLAs has attacked the style of functioning of chief minister, N Biren Singh, Sarma said, “With a principle of friendship and spirit of NEDA and NDA things will be resolved. I don’t want to elaborate more.”

The speaker allowed four of the seven MLAs who have been barred by the Manipur High Court from entering the Assembly to vote. Three BJP Mlas who joined Congress were disqualified. Manipur assembly speaker disqualified three congress MLAs and a Trinamool Congress MLA. Manipur High Court had earlier restrained seven MLAs who joined BJP from Congress from entering the Legislative Assembly, Imphal.

Following this move, BJP’s candidate Manipur's titular king L Sanajaoba defeated T Mangi Babu of congress.

Manipur minister for municipal administration, housing and urban development Thounaojam Shyamkumar Singh on March 26 last resigned from the membership of legislative assembly following the Supreme Court order.

Congress led coalition parties (for Secular Progressive Front government) in Manipur called on the Governor of Manipur and sought convening of a special session of the assembly and floor test. Congress is exploring legal options after a Manipur speaker disqualified seven MLAs in the house just before Rajya Sabha polls on Friday.