Manipur Governor Orders Upcoming Assembly Session Null & Void
In a shocking turn of events, Governor of Manipur Ajay Kumar Bhalla has declared the seventh session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, which was set to start from February 10, “null and void” with immediate effect. This sudden decision comes after Chief Minister N Biren Singh, on Sunday, tendered his resignation to Governor Ajay Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan in Imphal.
The seventh session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly was scheduled to begin on February 10, with a host of important agendas and discussions on the table. However, with the Governor’s declaration, the session is now deemed null and void, leaving the state’s political landscape in a state of flux.
According to reports, Chief Minister N Biren Singh had tendered his resignation to Governor Ajay Bhalla, citing personal reasons. The exact reasons behind Singh’s resignation are still unclear, but sources indicate that the move may have been prompted by a looming no-confidence motion against his government.
The no-confidence motion was scheduled to be taken up in the upcoming Assembly session, which would have led to a major crisis for the ruling government. However, with the session now cancelled, the motion has been shelved, at least for the time being.
The development has sent shockwaves across the state, with many political analysts speculating about the future of the Manipur government. The ruling BJP-led government, which has been in power since 2017, is now facing an uncertain future, with the resignation of the Chief Minister and the cancellation of the Assembly session.
The Governor’s decision to declare the Assembly session null and void has also raised questions about the political stability of the state. With a no-confidence motion looming, the government was already facing a significant challenge, and the cancellation of the session has only added to the uncertainty.
In a statement, the Governor’s office said that the session was cancelled due to “circumstances beyond the control of the Governor”. The statement did not provide further details, leaving many to speculate about the reasons behind the cancellation.
The decision has also sparked concerns about the democratic process in the state. The Assembly session was scheduled to address important issues, including the proposed Manipur State Taxation Bill, 2023, and the Manipur State Budget for 2023-24. With the session cancelled, these important issues will now have to be addressed at a later date, potentially causing further delays and uncertainties.
The cancellation of the Assembly session has also raised questions about the role of the Governor in the state’s political process. While the Governor has the power to convene or prorogue the Assembly, the decision to declare a session null and void is unprecedented and has raised concerns about the Governor’s powers.
As the political situation in Manipur continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the sudden cancellation of the Assembly session has plunged the state into uncertainty, and the future of the ruling government remains uncertain. Only time will tell what the next steps will be for the state government and the people of Manipur.
