Manipur Governor Orders Upcoming Assembly Session Null & Void
In a sudden turn of events, the seventh session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, which was set to begin on February 10, has been declared “null and void” by the Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla. This decision comes after Chief Minister N Biren Singh tendered his resignation to the Governor at Raj Bhavan in Imphal on Sunday.
The development has sent shockwaves across the state, with political observers and pundits left wondering about the implications of this sudden move. The Manipur Legislative Assembly is the unicameral legislature of the state, comprising 60 members, and is responsible for making laws and exercising oversight over the state government.
The seventh session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly was scheduled to start on February 10, with a host of important agenda items, including a no-confidence motion against the state government. However, with the session being declared null and void, it appears that the no-confidence motion will not be taken up, at least for the time being.
According to sources, the Governor’s decision to declare the session null and void was taken after Chief Minister N Biren Singh tendered his resignation, citing personal reasons. The CM’s resignation has sparked widespread speculation about the power struggle that may be unfolding in the state, with some analysts suggesting that the move may be a bid to pave the way for a new government.
The development has also raised questions about the legitimacy of the Assembly, with some critics arguing that the Governor’s action may be unconstitutional. Under the Constitution of India, the Governor has the power to dissolve the Assembly, but only after consulting with the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers. In this case, it appears that the Governor has taken the decision unilaterally, without consulting the Chief Minister or the Council of Ministers.
The opposition parties in the state have condemned the Governor’s decision, alleging that it is an attempt to destabilize the democratic process. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) and the Communist Party of India (CPI) have called for an immediate revocation of the Governor’s order, while the Congress party has demanded that the Governor should consult with the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers before taking any further action.
The BJP-led government in the state has, however, welcomed the Governor’s decision, terming it as “a step in the right direction”. The party’s state unit chief, Srikant Saini, has said that the Governor’s action will help to maintain stability in the state and ensure that the Assembly is not used as a platform for political vendetta.
The Manipur Assembly has been in the news recently for all the wrong reasons. Last year, the Assembly was marred by chaos and violence, with opposition MLAs being suspended and arrested for allegedly disrupting the proceedings. The situation was so bad that the Assembly had to be adjourned several times, and the Chief Minister had to resign from his post as the leader of the House.
In the light of these events, the Governor’s decision to declare the session null and void has raised concerns about the state of democracy in Manipur. The state has been plagued by political instability and infighting for years, and the latest development is likely to further exacerbate the situation.
In conclusion, the Governor’s decision to declare the Manipur Assembly session null and void has sent shockwaves across the state, with far-reaching implications for the state’s political landscape. While the opposition parties have condemned the Governor’s action, the BJP-led government has welcomed it, terming it as a step in the right direction. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the Governor’s decision will impact the state’s politics and democracy.
