Manipur CM Biren to take confidence vote on March 20

18 March, Imphal

The BJP led government in Manipur will take the confidence vote on March 20. Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren has decided to take the floor test ahead of the schedule given by Governor Najma Heptulla to enable immediate commencement of the Assembly session.

S Bira the senior most member will be nominated as Protem Speaker. The newly elected members will take oath as members on March 19. The new Speaker will be elected the next day which would be followed by the vote of confidence.

Dr Najma A Heptulla will address the session on March 21. The government is preparing to present a vote on accounts to enable payment of salaries and meet other expenses immediately. The 60-member House may pass the Bills on March 23.

Talking about the UNC’s indefinite economic blockade, the new Chief Minister informed that they have been working to hold another round of meeting on March 19. After taking oath Biren has been trying to end the economic blockade launched by United Naga Council.

The UNC which supported the Naga People’s Front (NPF) in the elections is part of the coalition and has been given a Cabinet berth. The first decision of the Cabinet was to appeal to the UNC to lift the blockade considering the hardship of the people which was rejected by the UNC. The state government has proposed a talk tomorrow.

The BJP, with 21 MLAs, had roped in NPP and NPF with four MLAs each. It also has the support of the lone LJP member. The Trinamool Congress MLA will also extend support to the BJP, it was stated. Though O. Ibobi Singh-led Congress managed to emerge as the single largest party in the assembly polls by bagging 28 seats, the BJP cobbled up a coalition to stake claim to lead its first-ever government in Manipur.