Lone JD(S) MLA joins Koijam group

IMPHAL, February 14: The lone MLA of Janata Dal(S), Loken Singh, deserted the Opposition camp this morning and joined United Democratic Alliance (UDA) led by Radhabinod Koijam of Samata Party raising its strength to 40 in the 59-member Manipur Assembly, reports UNI. Radhabinod Koijam had last night staked claim to form a new ministry before Governor Ved Marwah. But there is no indication of any swearing-in ceremony till now. Union Minister of State for Food Processing Th. Chaoba Singh has left Imphal this afternoon for New Delhi to apprise Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Union Home Minister L K Advani of the latest political developments in the State. Chaoba Singh is likely to explain the Union Home Minister how Radhabinod Koijam and his supporters deserted the Opposition camp to join hands with outgoing Chief Minister W Nipamacha Singh and his supporters. Sambhu Srivastava, general secretary, Northeast-in-charge of the Samata Party, who is now camping here for installation of a new government led by his party, urged the BJP legislators to join the new government. But there was no response from the BJP regarding Sambhu's offer. The BJP and the Samata Party legislators along with other Opposition parties were camping for the last three months at the Speaker's bungalow to overthrow Nipamacha Government of the United Front. On February 11, eight members of the ruling Manipur State Congress party left the ruling camp reducing the Government to minority. But all of a sudden, the Samata Party left the Opposition camp yesterday morning and joined Nipamacha's camp which paved the way for Koijam to take over.