Is there a threat to N Biren govt? Manipur CM speaks exclusively to Northeast Live

CM N Biren Singh informed that he had chaired a meet of the MLAs in Imphal yesterday and it was decided that an appointment will be sought from the Centre

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has dismissed all speculations surrounding the visit of some NDA MLAs from the state to Delhi.

Speaking exclusively to Northeast Live, CM N Biren Singh informed that he had chaired a meet of the MLAs in Imphal yesterday and it was decided that an appointment will be sought from the Centre soon to discuss the prevailing situation.

While thanking PM Narendra Modi and HM Amit Shah for giving top priority to Manipur in the first 100 days of the Modi 3.0 government, CM N Biren said that he along with MLAs will officially go to Delhi post the parliament session once called by HM Amit Shah. CM N Biren added that while the date for the Delhi visit was not fixed yet, some MLAs, including those from NDA’s alliance partners, may have gone to the national capital for personal works and issues. CM N Biren Singh also said that efforts to restore permanent peace are underway in full swing.

Regarding the speculations surrounding he and his government stepping down, the Manipur CM said, “There is nothing like that, Manipur is now going through times of trouble. So yesterday we had a meeting of all the legislators, we sat together and discussed about the prevailing situation. We were thinking that it will be better to go to Delhi after the ongoing Parliament session, this and that. So we discussed about that we shall leave for Delhi only after we get the appointment, we will air our grievances to the Prime Minister and also we shall appreciate him because the Prime Minister has taken the Manipur issue as one of the priorities in the 100 days program. Apart from this Union Home Minister Amit Shah has already started reviewing the security situation, started calling all the top brass of the security agencies, this means that the issue is in progress now. We discussed that since the Parliament session is going on, we should not give trouble to the leaders and instead visit Delhi after the session is over. But the date has not been fixed yet. But few of the leaders have gone for their own purpose, air certain grievances and nothing else. When the Home Minister will call us, then we will go immediately.”

Asked if there is a possibility on whether a meeting is on the cards to negotiate between the two warring groups of the state for bringing in a lasting solution to the present situation, the Manipur Chief Minister said, “Why not, it has already started. Under the guidance and supervision of PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, before the MP elections, talks were held once or twice between the 2 groups, which was mediated by a security agency. Presently, too there are meetings taking place between smaller groups. Even though some one might have met, but nobody is willing to speak because there is intense political pressure. People want peace, our fight is not against our own people, but our fight is against those who have come here from outside and creating troubles, they have brought illegal migrants, prevalence of drugs, all these are associated.”

The Manipur CM also made his response when he was aksed if the reports doing the rounds that his government will quit office are real.

To this he said, “This is totally wrong. There is nothing like this. Since there is unrest, someone might think or tell so. It was only yesterday that we all met. They (all MLAs) entrusted me to take the appointment. Since the Parliament session is going on then why should we trouble our leaders in this hectic time. After the Parliament session is over, we will take a decision on going to Delhi.”

Watch also: Manipur CM dismisses speculations surrounding Delhi visit of some NDA MLAs from state

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