N Biren Singh clarifies BJP MLA’s remarks; calls for popular government in Manipur

Former Manipur chief minister and state BJP leader N Biren Singh on Friday said that the recent remark made by a BJP legislator on the formation of a popular government in the state was a personal comment.
On Thursday, state BJP MLA, L Rameshwor stated that party MLAs were prepared to stake claim to form a government if the Centre fails to reinstall a new government within the current month, November while projecting the current Speaker of the state Assembly as the new leader of the party legislators. The MLA also commented on the dissolution of the state Assembly for a fresh mandate if no popular government is to be installed at the earliest.
It was a personal comment of the MLA, former chief minister N Biren Singh said while responding to queries raised by the reporters on the sideline of commemoration of 150 years of Vande Mataram held at state BJP head office in Imphal.
However, he asserted that all legislators were united in their efforts to form a popular government, claiming that the people of the state have a strong desire of having a popular government.
“Process for government formation is already underway,” he said, recalling recent camped by 25 MLAs of the party including him at New Delhi to press the party central leaders on the reinstatement of the elected government.
While camping at the national capital, BJP north-east in-charge Sambit Pattra came to meet them (MLAs). During the meeting the MLAs requested him for formation of a popular government in the state so that any difficulty faced by the people and IDPs can be solved, Singh said.
Sambit Pattra said, as normalcy returns to the state he will talk to higher ups regarding formation of a government in the state.
Singh said that on the later day, six MLA’s met BL Santosh, organizing secretary of BJP and apprised him of the situation in the state and people’s demand for formation of a government. BL Santhosh informed that the higher ups were considering it and he himself will visit the state, the former chief minister said. Asked about the recent remark by an MLA of the party regarding projecting Speaker Th Satyabrata as the leader, Singh refused to give any comments.
Meanwhile, commenting on the need for a popular government in the state, the former chief minister said that there was a gulf of difference between a popular government and President’s Rule. He said that whenever any eventuality sprouts up, the popular ministry government will take risks to deliver the needs, but under PR, the bureaucrats work vice versa.
On the other hand, Singh expressed serious concern over the worsening conditions of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) residing in various relief camps across the state.
He stressed the urgent need for authorities to prioritize the welfare of the displaced families and ensure proper access to essential facilities.