Cracks appear in Democratic Peoples Alliance

Imphal, April 04: In an interesting political turn, the two member of Democratic People?s Party (DPP) may quit the Opposition Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA) and join the ruling Secular Democratic Front (SPF). The DPA is a conglomeration of five political parties ? FPM, BJP, Samata Party, MPP and DPP. The Congress sent a formal written missive to the DPP yesterday inviting the latter to the ruling front. An emergency meeting of the DPP was held today and the invitation was discussed by the party?s leadership. The DPP leadership discussed the pros and cons of joining the SPF but a final decision could be not been taken. The DPP which was formed just on the eve of the 8th Assembly election has two members. The two members are N Biren from Heingang A/c and Dr T Meinya from Konthoujam A/c. the Congress intimated to the DPP in the written communication that the terms and conditions of the DPP would be honored to the full. They are standing for the protection of territorial integrity of Manipur, revocation of Armed Forces Special Power Act from Manipur and taking the DPP into confidence on major policy formation. The election manifesto of the DPP would also be included in the common minimum programme, the Congress assured. Moreover, the letter said that the SPF is also ready to consider the demands of the DPP that POTA should not be enforced in Manipur. A reliable source said the invitation may be a political calculation to ensure the victory of SPF?s consensus candidate for the Rajya Sabha, Rishang Keishing. When this reporter contacted the Congress Bhavan the party denied sending any such written communication to DPP. However, Congress Bhavan source said they do not know if CM O Ibobi had sent such a missive from the side of SPF. However, there is yet no confirmation whether the other SPF partners, MSCP, CPI, NCP and MNC are receptive to the idea of the DPP joining the ruling front. On the other hand the MSCP had expressed its reservation against joining hands with the DPP just prior to the formation of the SPF. Meanwhile, the two DPP members did not turn up at the meeting of the DPA held at the residence of alliance convenor Dr L Chandramani today wherein the present political scene in view of the upcoming Rajya Sabha election was discussed. The meeting decided to extend support Rishang provided Congress nullifies the pact signed with the United Naga Integration Council when the two were merged in 1972.