NPF to withdraw support from BJP-led coalition in Manipur post LS polls, accuses it of disrespecting alliance

Imphal: The Naga People’s Front (NPF) on Saturday decided to withdraw its support from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Manipur. The decision to withdraw support from the BJP-led coalition government in the state was announced by NPF spokesperson Achumbemo Kikon. Speaking to news agency ANI, Kikon said, “We had a long meeting at NPF central office in Kohima and decided to withdraw support in principle from the BJP led Manipur government.” The decision comes in the wake of NPF’s claim that the saffron party does not pay heed to its ideas and suggestions. "We had a long meeting at NPF central office in Kohima and decided to withdraw support in principle from the BJP led Manipur government," Kikon added. NPF is the partner in the BJP-led alliance in the north eastern state. The withdrawal of support, however, would not impact the state government as NPF has only four MLAs in the 60-member assembly. On the other hand, BJP currently has as many as 29 legislators in the House. The other parties in the ruling coalition are NPP (4), LJP (1), Independent (1) and AITC (1). Denying the claims, BJP said that it has extended all possible cooperation to its partners to ensure smooth functioning of the government. Kikon had earlier said that BJP "looks down" on its alliance partners. "The BJP has never respected the spirit of alliance since the formation of government in 2017. There have been instances when their leaders have refused to consider our members as alliance partners," Awangbou Newmai, the state unit chief of NPF had said. Newmai also said that the saffron party did not live up to the promises it made to its coalition partners. "The NPF has always considered the BJP as its big brother, but that did not stop the saffron party from bluffing to us. We haven't got our due respect," he claimed. Rebutting Newmai's assertions, Ch Bijoy, the spokesperson of the BJP, said the NPF had maintained that it did not want any ministerial berth while joining the alliance, but now, it seems, the party has several demands. Eight of the 28 Congress MLAs, who had won the 2017 polls, defected to the BJP last year, taking its tally from 21 to 29 in the Assembly.