Four BJP legislators who skipped the NDA meeting convened by Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Monday have raised concerns about the intentions behind the gathering. They dismissed it as an “image-building exercise” amidst the ongoing crisis in the state, which has struggled with law and order issues.
A senior MLA from the ruling party questioned the effectiveness of a meeting with only MLAs, saying that a more productive approach would have involved the Unified Command, including the DGP, Security Advisor, CRPF, Assam Rifles IGs, and the Chief Secretary. The meeting’s resolution, they added, had “nothing to do with law and order” and did little to restore peace, which remains the state’s primary concern.
The resolution passed at the meeting focused on mass operations against Kuki militants involved in the November 11 kidnapping and killing of six Meitei women and children from Jiribam. It also called on the Centre to review the imposition of AFSPA in six police station areas in the valley. However, the resolution’s focus was criticized as being out of sync with the urgent need for dialogue and peace.
Another MLA absent from the meeting expressed dissatisfaction with Biren Singh’s leadership, claiming that his actions contributed to the ongoing crisis. They pointed out that previous meetings called by the CM were more for appearances, with no proposals or suggestions being entertained. “That’s why we didn’t attend,” the MLA said. They further emphasized that the Speaker should have called the meeting instead.
The Speaker, Th Satyabrata Singh, did not attend the meeting either but had reportedly informed about his absence beforehand.
A third MLA who missed the meeting expressed frustration with the government’s decision to release lists naming the absent MLAs. “His position is insecure, and this shows it,” they said, criticizing the focus on attendance over substantive discussions.
The controversy continued after the meeting, with two lists being issued: one detailing MLAs who were absent for valid reasons, including the Speaker and some members of the NPF and JD(U), and another listing 11 MLAs who skipped the meeting without providing any reasons. The government claims it issued notices to these absentees.
One MLA claimed to have informed verbally about their inability to attend, despite their name being on the list of attendees. A source close to the Chief Minister’s Office downplayed the discrepancy, saying that scanned signatures were often used with consent when officials were unavailable.
Monday’s meeting was seen as an attempt by Biren Singh to demonstrate his political strength, especially after the NPP’s withdrawal of support from his government. Despite the absence of several MLAs, including some from the Meitei-dominated valley areas, the BJP maintains a majority in the 60-member Assembly.
