Will the BJP govt fall in Manipur? What are the equations after withdrawal of support by NPP?

Imphal: The violence between the Kuki and Meitei communities in Manipur has escalated. In light of the ongoing unrest in the state, the National People's Party (NPP) has decided to withdraw its support from the BJP government. 

NPP leader Conrad Sangma said in an official letter to BJP President Jagan Prakash Nadda, 'The Manipur government led by Chief Minister N Biren Singh has completely failed to control the ethnic violence in the state and restore normalcy. Therefore, keeping in mind the current situation, the National People's Party has decided to withdraw its support from the Biren Singh-led government in the state of Manipur with immediate effect.

At the same time, after the withdrawal of support by Conrad Sangma, there was a stir in the political corridors. After this, Manipur Congress State President and Wangkhem MLA Keisham Meghachandra posted on social media and wrote that "If the people of Manipur want to bring a new mandate to bring peace in the state, then I am ready to resign from the post of MLA along with all the Congress MLAs"

Jairam Ramesh hails Manipur Cong President

Re-tweeting this post of the Manipur Congress President, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh wrote, 'Well done! But the Chief Minister should resign first.' This led to speculations whether N Biren Singh would step down.

Amit Shah's rallies cancelled

Meanwhile, Amit Shah's proposed rallies and public meetings in Nagpur in connection with Maharashtra elections were cancelled. Home Minister Amit Shah returned to Delhi, with reports suggesting that the sudden surge in violence in Manipur prompted this decision. Some speculate that Shah's return is linked to concerns over the stability of the Manipur government, especially following incidents the previous day where the homes of 11 MLAs, including Chief Minister Biren Singh, were targeted with stones. 

Manipur Assembly equation

In fact, the majority figure in the 60-member Manipur Assembly is 31 and the BJP has 32 MLAs of its own. Shortly after the assembly elections in 2022, 5 out of 6 JDU MLAs formally joined the saffron party, taking the number of BJP members in the assembly to 37. Thus, the BJP government led by Chief Minister N Biren Singh has a majority on its own in Manipur. The government will not be destabilized even after the withdrawal of support by 7 NPP MLAs provided the BJP MLAs do not revolt.