Congress observers put into paid Covid quarantine on Manipur arrival; claim they knew

AICC observers Ajay Maken and Gaurav Gogoi, who h flown to Imphal amid political crisis in state, were put under quarantine for second consecutive day as per COVID-19 protocols in Manipur. Nobody has been allowed to see Congress spokesperson and former Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken, and party General Secretary in-charge of North East Gaurav Gogoi who came as AICC observers after sudden political developments in Manipur including formation of Secular Progressive Front (SPF) led by Okram Ibobi Singh following resignation of four ministers belonging to ruling alliance.

state authority h placed two All India Congress Committee (AICC) leers in a paid quarantine centre at an Imphal Hotel in accordance with state's guidelines on pandemic. As y h alrey booked rooms at said hotel before ir arrival, y were guided by an ditional Superintendent of Police rank officer to hotel, news agency PTI quoted sources. Both of m have to stay in isolation and undergo COVID- 19 test, as per COVID-19 protocol of state. 

Manipur on Saturday reported 96 new cases of COVID-19, raising number of total cases in state to 777. re 545 active cases in state and 232 of total cases have recovered/ discharged.

RE | 'Many Cong members in support': Manipur CM Biren Singh exudes confidence of retaining govt

Taking a swipe at Congress, BJP General Secretary Ram Mhav said that party could not win Rajya Sabha seat and was claiming majority in Assemby. While Congress claimed that BJP-led government has lost majority, BJP claimed issue h been settled with victory of its candidate in Rajya Sabha polls.

In Rajya Sabha poll in Manipur, BJP's Leishemba Sanajaoba defeated rival Congress candidate T Mangi Babu by four votes to win lone seat.

In a counter to Ram Mhav, Ajay Maken tweeted, "Congress always regards rules & tritions- We came here with permission with full knowledge & booked quarantine centre in vance. It is a support to Manipur PCC & its people in fight against a Govt formed by manipulation against popular votes!"

Gaurav Gogoi also hit back at Ram Mhav, saying "You are a senior leer of your party. I would have hoped that you would check your facts before tweeting. May be last minute manipulation to block four Congress votes has induced a false sense of confidence."

RE | Manipur reports 96 new COVID-19 cases, total at 777

Three Congress defectors -- Ksh Biren Singh, S Bira Singh and Surchandra Singh -- were not allowed to cast ir votes as cases are pending against m. However, or four defectors could vote. seven Congress legislators who h crossed over to BJP shortly after 2017 state polls, have been facing anti-defection cases. ir disqualification matter is with Manipur High Court as well as Speaker's Tribunal. One recently disqualified MLA was also barred from taking part in voting process.

Impact on power tussle in Manipur

On Thursday, senior Congress leer and former CM Okram Ibobi Singh wrote to Governor Najma Heptulla staking claim to form government. He urged her to summon a special session of Assembly in a couple of days to vote on motion of no-confidence against Council of Ministers which has alrey been moved before Speaker. Alternatively, he suggested that government could be outrightly dismissed as it is in a minority. 

RE | Hopeful of forming govt in Manipur, Cong suffers blow after BJP wins RS seat with 28 votes

Congress raises objections

Congress party also petitioned EC asking for votes of party MLA Ngamthang Haokip and Speaker Y Khemchand Singh to be cancelled. It alleged that Haokip and Singh h shown ir vote to BJP official representative and Congress representative respectively. According to party, this was a violation of Conduct of Election Rules 1961 and relevant laws pertaining to casting of votes. However, Returning Officer rejected this allegation.

Former CM Ibobi's objection 

But, Opposition leer O Ibobi Singh Saturday alleged that government is actually in minority and asked it to prove majority in House. "From day one, when nine MLAs withdrew ir support from BJP-led coalition government, it has been reduced to minority", he told reporters. Ibobi continued, as per democratic norms, newly formed Secular Progressive Front (SPF), have urged Governor to call for a special assembly session. "If y are able to prove ir majority, let m continue," former chief minister ded. 

RE | 75 New COVID-19 Cases In Manipur; Count Rises To 681

(with PTI inputs)