The BJP in Manipur may “rethink” on accepting NPF as a post-poll alliance partner since the party had won more than enough seats on its own. Some BJP members had reportedly expressed their “reservation” on the BJP-NPF alliance.
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
Naga Peoples’ Front (NPF) has already submitted a letter to the Manipur governor stating that the party has extended its support to BJP in the formation of the new government.
When contacted, a source from the NPF told this correspondent that the NPF general secretary Achumbemo Kikon has already submitted the letter of support to the Manipur governor on Friday
It was learnt that the decision of the NPF was taken keeping in mind the alliance that has been “going on” between the two parties in Manipur since 2017.
A letter of support had also been despatched to the Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Thursday night which was endorsed by NPF president Achumbemo Kikon.
Despite the fast paced development, sources said that the BJP in Manipur may “rethink” on accepting NPF as a post-poll alliance partner since the BJP had won more than enough seats on its own. Some BJP members had reportedly expressed their “reservation” on the BJP-NPF alliance. The NPF Central leadership in Nagaland has been well apprised of the prevailing situation in Manipur.
The 2022 Manipur elections saw the BJP sweeping 32 seats out of the 60 and would not need an ally to form the government, observed a political analyst based in Nagaland.
The whole issue of a “rethink” on BJP-NPF post poll alliance was apparently stirred by some BJP Manipur leaders since the time NPF working president Huska Yepthomi made unfavourable comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an electoral campaign in Manipur. At one of the poll related conventions, NPF working president reportedly claimed that the BJP and Prime Minister were against Christians. The BJP decided to not react to Yepthomi’s comments in the middle of electioneering.
On being asked whether the NPF would remain an ally of the BJP, a senior BJP leader said that central observers would be visiting Manipur and they would take a “call” on the issue.
It may be mentioned that out of the 60 assembly seats in Manipur, in 2017, the Congress had got 28 and the BJP 21. The BJP had taken support from the National People’s Party (NPP) and NPF to form the government under chief minister N Biren Singh.