Despite being snubbed by the BJP in the formation of government in Manipur, Meghalaya Chief Minister and NPP national president Conrad Sangma today congratulated Biren Singh who has been chosen as Manipur Chief Minister for the second time.
“Congratulations to Shri @NBirenSinghJi on being elected as Chief Minister of Manipur. May he perform his duties in the best interest of the people. I wish him and his Cabinet the very best,” Sangma tweeted today.
The BJP today announced Singh as the Chief Minister of Manipur. Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Kiren Rijiju, who are the BJP’s central observers for Manipur made the announcement at Imphal.
NPP has been kept out of the BJP government in Manipur despite moves by Sangma to offer support to the government.
On March 16, Sangma had said that his party is ready to be part of the BJP-led government in Manipur if invited.
Relations between the BJP and NPP turned bitter in the recent Manipur Assembly elections with both parties accusing each other on various issues.
During an election campaign in Manipur, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said that NPP is a worthless party.
Even Biren Singh had said that the NPP would not be part of the new government.
The ruling BJP retained power in Manipur for the second consecutive term and secured an absolute majority with 32 seats in the 60-member House.
The NPP won seven seats while Janata Dal (United) won six seats, the Congress and the Naga People’s Front bagged five seats each, Kuki People’s Alliance, a newly floated tribal based party, managed two seats. Three Independent candidates also got elected to the Assembly.
The NPF, JD (U) and an independent member have earlier announced their support to the BJP government.
In 2017, the BJP, which had secured 21 seats in Manipur formed the government with the support of the four-member NPP, four-member NPF, one Trinamool Congress MLA and an independent legislator.
