The Naga People’s Front (NPF) will “re-examine” its alliance with Biren Singh-led BJP government in Manipur.
In this context, the NPF has called a meeting in Kohima on May 18 next.
NPF spokesperson Achumbemo Kikon said that the party has decided to re-examine its stand in Manipur because it has not been given the treatment it deserves by the saffron party.
Kikon alleged that the NPF was not treated at par with other BJP allies despite it extending unconditional support to Biren Singh-led BJP government in Manipur.
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According to reports, the NPF was disappointed over the alleged step-motherly treatment meted out to it by the BJP in Manipur, compelling it to “re-examine” its alliance with the major alliance partner in the state.
Kikon said this is not a new development as the party had already made its stand clear.
Sources quoting NPF legislature party leader TR Zeliang as saying that NPF president Shürhozelie Liezietsu has already instructed the party’s four legislators in Manipur and the Lok Sabha candidate for Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat in the recently concluded parliamentary election to attend the May 18 meeting to deliberate on the issue and decide further course of action.
Zeliang said the party has made its observation on the issue and would take a call at a later stage if it wins the Outer Manipur parliamentary seat.
The NPF has four members in the 60-member Manipur House. Out of them, one is a cabinet minister in the Biren Singh government.
Sources said the party was assured of two more ministerial berths as per the “agreement” before the formation of the government in the state.
The BJP-led government in Manipur comprises 21 BJP MLAs, NPF (4), National People’s Party (4), All India Trinamool Congress (1), LJP (1) and an Independent.
Though the Congress party won 28 seats in the 2017 Assembly election in the state, eight party legislators later extended support to the BJP-led Biren Singh government.
The Congress filed a disqualification petition before the Assembly Speaker against the eight MLAs. The Speaker is yet to take a decision on the matter, sources said.