All newly elected representatives sworn in as MLAs in Manipur
The newly elected representatives of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly took oath at the Assembly hall on Monday. S Rajen, Manipur's pro-tem Speaker, administered the oath to newly elected members. On Sunday, Manipur Governor L Ganeshan dissolved the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly and appointed S Rajen as the pro-tem speaker in the presence of newly elected BJP legislators at the Raj Bhawan in Imphal.
Why does this story matter?
The BJP has achieved a majority on its own in the recently concluded state assembly elections. However, it has kept suspense over the post of the chief minister and whether it will form the government on its own or through a coalition of parties in the state. There are media reports highlighting infighting within the party, which the party members have categorically denied.
Who will be the CM in Manipur?
When asked about the formation of the next Manipur government, Rajen said the BJP is a well-disciplined party and all elected members will follow the high command's decision. He also stated that there is no acrimony within the party over the CM's post, contradicting social media reports that some newly-elected BJP MLAs are vying for the position.
"No infighting or separate camps"
BJP leader Biswajit Singh, who is reportedly one of the candidates for the post of CM, said, "Some baseless news reports have been doing the rounds. There is no infighting or separate camps among the elected members of the BJP for the time being." "All members will adhere to the decision taken by the party's parliamentary board," he added.
Will the BJP form the government on its own?
N Biren Singh, the current caretaker chief minister, has unequivocally stated that the BJP will not work with the National People's Party (NPP), which was an ally in the previous government. Similarly, BJP may rethink its alliance with the Naga People's Front (NPF) in wake of its working president Huska Yepthomi's recent remark that BJP and PM Narendra Modi are against Christians.
BJP didn't respond to the remark
Yepthomi had allegedly made the remark at a convention during the electoral campaign. However, the BJP decided not to respond to his attack on the party and the PM in wake of the elections.
BJP's high command to decide on CM's appointment
The leaders of the BJP in Manipur have stated that the position of the chief minister and the formation of the government will be decided solely by the party's high command. As a result, everyone in the state has been waiting for the party observers to arrive in Imphal after which the BJP's high command will take the decision.
Results of Manipur Assembly elections 2022
The BJP won 32 seats out of 60 seats in the recently concluded Manipur Assembly elections. Except for the NPP, the NPF and six JD(U) legislators along with two independent MLAs have pledged their support to the BJP. The Congress won only five seats.
