BJP blocks Samata debut

IMPHAL, February 14: In a fresh twist to the ongoing political crisis in Manipur, the BJP central leadership today prevented Governor Ved Marwah from inviting Samata Legislature Party leader Radhabinod Koijam to form the new government. The situation underwent a dramatic change after the BJP high command forced Koijam to team up with the Opposition. The Samata Party leader today met the Governor and submitted a new list comprising names of 45 legislators. However, the validity of the list was controversial as it included the names of W. Nipamacha Singh's supporters in the Thounaojam Chaoba Singh faction of the Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP). Koijam further consolidated base tonight after the Nipamacha Singh faction of the MSCP pledged support to him. The number of Koijam supporters went up to 57 in the 60-member Manipur House, whose effective strength is 59. The four-member Federal Party of Manipur and an Independent legislator also reaffirmed support to Koijam. The lone "opposition" was Congressman Rishang Keishing. Sharp differences had surfaced between the Samata Party and the BJP leadership in New Delhi over the issue. Sources said Union home minister L. K. Advani had opposed any political alignment involving "Nipamacha Singh, his deputy L. Chandramani Singh and the tainted MSCP ministers." Samata Party yesterday staged a political coup by aligning with the Nipamacha Singh-led United Front of Manipur (UFM), which included MSCP (Nipamacha faction), the Federal Party of Manipur and an Independent legislator. Koijam staked claim to form the new government after Nipamacha Singh tendered his resignation. Sources said the Samata Party and the BJP leaders tried to work out a compromise formula after the Governor was barred from inviting Koijam to form the new government at Advani's behest. BJP leaders insisted on a Manipur Democratic Front (MDF) government. The Samata Party had forged the United Democratic Alliance yesterday with Nipamacha Singh's United Front of Manipur. But the Samata Party leaders today agreed to BJP's demand of a National Democratic Alliance-style of government. The list submitted by Koijam to the Governor has 12 Samata Party, six BJP, two Nationalist Congress Party, one Manipur People's Party, one Janata Dal (Secular) and 23 MSCP legislators. However, only eight MSCP members were present in the Opposition MDF camp led by Union minister of state for food processing Chaoba Singh. After eight legislators including Nipamacha Singh and Chandramani Singh were declared "unattached" members of the House by Speaker Sapam Dhananjoy following their expulsion by Chaoba Singh, the number of "recognised" MSCP members in the Nipamacha Singh camp went down to 14. Claiming his faction as the original MSCP, Chaoba Singh said the 14 members in the Nipamacha Singh camp owed allegiance to him. Confusion reigned in the MSCP rank and file despite the Speaker's support to the Chaoba Singh faction. Addressing a news conference this evening, Koijam said the Governor has asked him to submit a list of supporters tomorrow morning for verification.