Manipur: Sangma, Himanta hold talks with NPP MLAs in patch-up bid

Meghalaya Chief Minister and NPP national president Conr K Sangma and Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma flew to Manipur capital on Sunday and held meetings with four former ministers, whose resignation has plunged Biren Singh government into trouble, in an apparent patch-up bid.

opposition Congress questioned why two leers were t quarantined under COVID-19 rms like two AICC observers when y arrived in Imphal on Friday.

Sangma and BJP leer Sarma first met Chief Minister N Biren Singh and n held talks with Manipur National People's Party legislators to iron out differences, sources in NPP and BJP said.

Sangma is heing a government in Meghalaya with ally BJP whose two MLAs h also contributed in his party minee's victory in Rajya Sabha poll.

Though it was t immediately kwn what decisions were taken during meeting with legislators, sources said a strategy was discussed to save BJP-led government of Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

Sarma also confirmed visiting Manipur for a day, but did t comment anything on political crisis in rastern state.

"I have come here to meet all our friends and to congratulate m on massive victory in Rajya Sabha," Sarma told PTI over phone.

move by Sangma and Assam minister Himanta Sarma, who is also convener of rth-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), is seen here as an effort to repair cracks in BJP-led coalition in Manipur.

Biren Singh ministry was put on a sticky wicket following resignation of nine ruling coalition members, including four NPP ministers, on Wednesday.

Besides NPP ministers, rest five included three rebel BJP MLAs, lone All Indian Trinamool Congress legislator and an Independent.

Meanwhile, Manipur Congress President Moirangm Okendra, said while two Congress observers-Ajay Maken and Gaurav Gogoi-were placed under quarantine as per Covid protocols on arrival at Imphal on Friday evening, Sangma and Sarma have been meeting people.

Meghalaya CM and Sarma are putting up in a hotel which is near to hotel where Maken and Gogoi are spending time in quarantine for third day Sunday.

"This is highly condemnable...y (Sangma and Sarma) came and were meeting people freely while Congress leers were guided to hotel by police from airport itself on June 19," Okendra told PTI.

"Maken and Gogoi were quarantined by Manipur government. Are rms valid only for Congress people? Is this your political revenge? Is law t equal for all?" Assam Congress spokesperson Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee said in Guwahati.

Reacting to this, Sarma, who is leing fight against vel coronavirus is Assam, said rule related to COVID-19 guidelines has been violated by him.

"A person who comes for a day-long visit is exempted from quarantine in both Assam and Manipur," said Sarma.

After victory of BJP candidate Leishemba Sanajaoba party claimed taht it is in command in Manipur.

But without a final decision on disqualification cases against seven Congress MLAs who h crossed over to BJP shortly after 2017 state polls, proving majority on floor of 60-member house would be a difficult task for ruling dispensation in present condition when nine legislators have left m.

ir cases are pending under anti-defection law with Manipur High Court as well with Speaker's Tribunal.

In June 19 Rajya Sabha election, three Congress defectors -- Ksh Biren Singh, S Bira Singh and Surchandra Singh -- were t 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.

Of nine members who tendered resignation on Wednesday, BJP MLAs S Subhashchandra Singh, T T Haokip and Samuel Jendai could t cast ir votes.

Four NPP ministers, who h withdrawn ir support from ruling coalition, exercised ir franchise.

lone Trinamool Congress MLA T Robindro Singh, who also pulled out of N Biren Singh-led dispensation, was t allowed to cast his vote. He lodged a complaint to Election Commission in this regard.

Smelling a chance, Congress h stepped up efforts to oust BJP-led government by urging Goverr Najma Heptullah on Thursday to call a special assembly session for taking up a -confidence motion against Biren Singh ministry.

four former NPP ministers, including deputy chief minister Y Joykumar Singh, h claimed that y were forced to walk out of ruling dispensation due to b treatment meted out to m by government.

Manipur NPP chief Thangminlien Kipgen who met Sangma and Sarma issued a press release highlighting reasons that prompted m to leave BJP-led coalition.

He mentioned refusal to form steering committee in order to bring a confidence amongst coalition partners, lack of common minimum programme, allotment of ministerial portfolios and invitation/consultation with party to share views/ideas to decide on a consensus candidate of 2017 Rajya - Sabha Election, 2019 Lok-Sabha Election and in recently concluded Rajya- Sabha Election, 2020.

"This functioning of present government is autocratic and undemocratic," state NPP chief said in statement.