Politics / Manipur

IMPHAL, February 15: Samata Party leader Radhabinod Koijam was today sworn in as the Chief Minister of Manipur ending two days of political uncertainty in this border state. Governor Ved Prakash Marwah administered the oath of office and secrecy to 58-year-old lawyer-turned-politician Koijam who heads the People's Front (PF). Koijam told reporters that he would expand the ministry on his return from New Delhi. The PF ministry would be a medium-sized one, he added. Raj Bhavan sources said Koijam had submitted a list of 45 MLAs supporting him to the Governor. The list was distributed to...

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...

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...

IMPHAL, February 14: The winter session of the state Assembly was reconvened today with the entire ruling group including the Samata Party MLAs and an Independent MLA supporting the Nipamacha government, staying away from the proceedings. This was the first in the state's history that a House session was conducted without its leader and ruling members attending it. The House was later adjourned sine die by Speaker Dr. S Dhananjoy after reading out a communication from the Governor, Ved Prakash Marwah, concerning the Chief Minister's resignation letter tendered to him yesterday. The House...

IMPHAL, February 14: At the end of a day of extremely confusing political developments, a new political front, calling itself the People's Front has emerged to stake its claim to form the government in the state after the day-old United Democratic Front broke up and Samata Party leader Radhabinod Koijam returned to the fold of the Opposition to be elected leader of the new alliance. Radha Binod Koijam announced the formation of the new front during a brief press conference at the Speaker's official bungalow this evening and claimed to have gained the support of six parties, totaling 45 MLAs in...

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...

IMPHAL, February 14: In an unprecedented event, the Manipur Legislative Assembly session was held today without the leader of the House and members of the treasury bench to consider the pending no-confidence motion against the United Front Government led by Chief Minister W Nipamacha Singh, reports UNI. After observing two minutes silence on the demise of Samata Party member Basanta Kumar Wangkhem, Speaker S Dhananjoy read out a letter given by Manipur Governor Ved Marwah indicating the resignation of W Nipamacha Singh from the Chief Ministership last night. The Governor also said that the...

IMPHAL, February 14: Though there is an uncertainty in the formation of a new ministry in Manipur, the leader of the Samata Party and leader of the newly-formed 'People's Front' Radhabinod Koijam has staked claim to form an alternative government twice within 24 hours. Addressing a crowded press conference here at the Speaker's bungalow tonight, Radhabinod Koijam said 'people's Front' was formed with the support of 45 members from six different political parties which include MSCP-23, SP -12, BJP-6, NCP-2, MPP-1 and JD(S)-1. He also submitted a formal letter to Governor Ved Marwah enclosing...

IMPHAL, February 13: The student bodies of Manipuris residing in Manipur and Assam have strongly protested the Assam Government's recent order in connection with the introduction of Bishnupriya Manipuri language at primary level schools of Barak Valley districts. A joint meeting of the powerful All Manipur Students Union (AMSU), All Assam Manipuri Students Union (AAMSU) and Northeastern Students Committee (NESCOMI) was also held in this regard at AMSU headquarters here on Sunday evening. The meeting has protested the order of the Assam Government issued on February 7 allowing teaching of...

IMPHAL, February 13: An end to the nearly three-month-old constitutional crisis in Manipur appeared to be in sight with the Chief Minister Nipamacha Singh stepping down today in favour of Samata Party leader Radhabinod Koijam under a new combine, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) which claimed that Koijam would be sworn in tomorrow. In what would have been termed as far-fetched speculation till yesterday, Chief Minister W Nipamacha tendered his resignation fro the Chief Ministership paving the way for State Samata Party leader Radhabinod Koijam to take the coveted post, as political maneuvering...