People's Front stakes claim for Manipur govt

IMPHAL, February 14: Politics in Manipur is changing fast. Two days after Radhabinod Koijam (Samata Party) staked claim to form the government along with the MSCP faction led by Nipamacha Singh, it took yet another sharp turn. This time Koijam staked claim along with the MSCP faction led by T Chaoba Singh, Union minister of state, and other Opposition parties that have formed the People's Front. The new development started unfolding since this morning, when Singh, cancelling his trip to New Delhi, got hold Sambhu Srivastava, Samata Party's secretary in charge of the Northeast. Srivastava was taken to the Speaker's house where a number of meetings were held. Besides Singh and Srivastava, those present at the talks were the BJP national secretary PB Acharaya, BJP state president Bhorot, BJP legislative party leader RK Dorendro, leader of the MSCP (Chaoba faction) M Hemanta, and other Opposition leaders. Following the talks, a new alliance of six parties - People's Front - was formed with a common minimum programme. Koijam was once again chosen the leader. The People's Front claimed it has 45 MLAs in the sixty-member House which has an effective strength of 59. Earlier, the Federal Party of Manipur, with four MLAs, and the lone Independent in the Nipamacha camp were considered for the alliance. But they were finally left out. The Raj Bhavan has said it had already received two lists of MLAs who had expressed support to Koijam's claim to form the government. The first list was submitted by the United Democratic Alliance, while the second list, with names of 30 MLAs, was submitted by the MDF which comprises the MSCP (Chaoba). There were reports that the Governor, Ved Marwah, has asked the People's Front leaders to meet him tomorrow at 10 a.m. The Nipamacha camp, meanwhile, is reported to be holding meetings to work out a strategy. It is reported to be trying to rope in the 14 MSCP MLAs whose names have been included in the People's Front list.