With the BJP Parliamentary Board appointing party national general secretary Tarun Chugh as the central observer for the election of the legislature party leader in Manipur, the state is gearing up to welcome the new government and a new chief minister.
Reports are that the BJP central leadership has summoned NDA MLAs from Manipur to Delhi to discuss the formation of a government in the state.
"All 37 MLAs are in Delhi for the meeting. The meeting was scheduled for Monday evening, but after the latest announcement regarding the central observer, we all learned that the meeting has been postponed until February 3 at 3 pm," local reports quoted a party source.
Speculations are that a member of the Meitei community is likely to become the chief minister. “If the central leadership chooses a Meitei leader in the best interests of Manipur, everyone will have to come together and support each other. Even if the Kuki-Zo MLAs do not support him, the party still has the necessary numbers," Hindustan Times quoted an unnamed party official.
A leader from the Kuki community could be given the responsibility of deputy CM. This is to send a message across the state that the government is taking everyone along. But, there is little possibility that an MLA from the Kuki community could helm the government.
The Kukis could also get prominent posts within the government. Giving more ministerial positions to Kuki-Zo MLAs in this cabinet would also be in the interest of the state and the peace process.
There are murmurs in the party in this regard with Kuki MLAs saying they are under pressure from their community. All 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs have also arrived for the meeting. If the Kuki community is not adequately represented, the MLAs would even refuse to become part of the government. These Kuki MLAs have made this demand to the central leadership, and the government is now considering it, according to reports.
Another option is to make a neutral person (who is neither Meitei nor Kuki-Jo) the Chief Minister. This person may not be a mass leader, but can be accepted by all in the current circumstances.
Names in the race
Also read
The prominent names doing the rounds include Satyabrata Singh, who was the assembly speaker in Biren Singh's government, and former ministers T.H. Biswajit Singh. Even K. Govind Das could be considered, according to reports. All these leaders belong to the Meitei community.
While Biren Singh’s name is still being discussed, Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Basant K. Singh, K. Ibomcha Singh and Dipu Gangmei are also potential candidates for the post of Chief Minister.
