For the first time in its history, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday formed a government in Manipur, with Nongthombam Biren Singh being sworn in as the state’s Chief Minister. Biren Singh, who was earlier with the Congress, raced ahead of Okram Ibobi Singh, after the BJP mopped support from the likes of National People’s Party, Naga People’s Front and other independent MLAs. In what could signal the degree of arrangements made with the allies, the NPP’s Joyakumar Singh was sworn in as Deputy CM, along with seven others from different parties.
Despite winning only 21 seats in the 60-member Assembly, the BJP ousted Congress, which won 28 seats and needed only three more to form government. However, the Congress talks with NPP and one TMC MLA failed to take off. Earlier on Monday, a Congress delegation had met Governor Najma Heptulla, and produced a letter of support, allegedly signed by the NPP. Later that evening, the NPP’s Conrad Sangma denied supporting the Congress, while questioning the authenticity of the letter .
Now, the BJP, strengthened by it’s claim of having a majority in the house, says that it is ready to face a floor test before 23 March.
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