Biren Singh-led Manipur government failed: Conrad Sangma's party withdraws support

In a strong-worded letter to BJP chief JP Nadda, the National People's Party said that Manipur government, under the leadership of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, has completely failed to control the ethnic violence.

In Short

• National People's Party withdraws support citing law and order issues
• Letter to JP Nadda criticises N Biren Singh's handling of ethnic strife
• Violence continues in Manipur over tensions between Kukis, Meiteis

The Conrad Sangma-led National People's Party (NPP) on Sunday withdrew its support to the BJP-led Manipur government, expressing "deep concern" over the prevailing law and order situation in the state.

In an official letter marked to BJP national president JP Nadda, NPP said that the Manipur government, under the leadership of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, has completely failed to control the ethnic violence in the state and restore normalcy.

Citing its dissatisfaction with the handling of the crisis and loss of innocent lives, the party announced its decision to withdraw support from the government with immediate effect.

"We strongly feel that the Manipur State Government under the leadership of Shri Biren Singh has completely failed to resolve the crisis and restore normalcy," the letter issued by NPP read.

"Keeping the current situation in mind, the National People's Party has decided to withdraw its support to the Biren Singh-led Government in the State of Manipur, with immediate effect," it added.

The NPP shocker came as the situation in Manipur, which has been reeling from ethnic strife between Kuki and Meitei communities since May last year, continued to be volatile following protests and violence after the recovery of bodies of women and children.

Despite losing a key ally in the northeastern state, the BJP government is most likely to stay stable as it has a comfortable majority in the 60-member Manipur Assembly. The BJP currently holds 37 seats on its own, a majority well above the halfway mark of 31. This includes five MLAs from the Janata Dal (United) who joined the BJP in late 2022.

Additionally, the BJP also has the support of five MLAs from the Naga People's Front (NPF), one JD(U) legislator, and three Independent MLAs.