Manipur Governor orders upcoming Assembly session null & void
In a sudden 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 decision comes on the heels of Chief Minister N Biren Singh tendering his resignation to Governor Ajay Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan in Imphal on Sunday.
The seventh session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly was scheduled to commence on February 10, with a series of important agenda items, including the presentation of the budget and the discussion on the no-confidence motion. However, with the Governor’s order, all proceedings have been brought to a standstill.
The order was issued in the evening of February 6, citing the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh as the reason for the cancellation of the Assembly session. The Chief Minister, who has been at the helm of the state government since 2017, tendered his resignation to the Governor, paving the way for a possible change in the government.
The sudden development has sent shockwaves across the state, with many speculating about the future of the government and the Assembly. The opposition parties, who had been seeking the Chief Minister’s resignation, have welcomed the Governor’s decision, terming it a “historic” moment.
The Governor’s order has also raised questions about the fate of the no-confidence motion, which was to be tabled during the session. The motion was moved by the opposition parties, seeking to remove the Chief Minister from office. With the session cancelled, it remains to be seen whether the motion will be taken up in the future.
The development has also sparked concerns about the stability of the government, with many wondering whether the Governor will take over as the Chief Minister or appoint an interim administration. The Governor’s office has not issued any statement on the matter, leaving the public in a state of uncertainty.
The sudden resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh and the cancellation of the Assembly session have been attributed to a series of controversies and scandals that have plagued the government in recent times. The government has faced criticism for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, corruption allegations against government officials, and the recent row over the state’s boundary dispute with neighboring states.
The opposition parties, who have been criticizing the government’s policies and actions, have hailed the Governor’s decision as a major victory. They have been demanding the Chief Minister’s resignation for some time now, citing his failure to address the state’s development and governance issues.
The Congress party, which has been leading the opposition, has welcomed the Governor’s decision, terming it a “people’s victory”. The party’s state president, Gaikhangam, has said that the decision is a “major blow” to the Chief Minister and his government.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has been ruling the state, has also reacted to the development, with the party’s state president, Srikant Sambit, saying that the Governor’s decision is “unconstitutional” and “undemocratic”. The party has demanded that the Governor reconsider his decision and allow the Assembly session to proceed.
The development has far-reaching implications for the state’s politics, with many speculating about the future of the government and the Assembly. The Governor’s order has also raised questions about the role of the Governor in the state’s political system, with many wondering whether the Governor has the power to cancel the Assembly session.
As the state grapples with the implications of the Governor’s decision, one thing is clear – the people of Manipur will be watching closely to see what unfolds next. Will the Governor take over as the Chief Minister or appoint an interim administration? Will the no-confidence motion be taken up in the future? Only time will tell.
