In an official letter addressed to BJP national president JP Nadda, the National People's Party (NPP) expressed its dissatisfaction with the handling of the ongoing ethnic violence by the BJP-led government. Led by Conrad Sangma, the party has withdrawn its support citing “deep concern” over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state, which has plagued the state since May 2023.
However, since the BJP itself has a full majority, the NPP's withdrawal will not affect the stability of the government in the state. In the 60-member legislative assembly, the BJP currently holds 37 seats, well above the 31-seat halfway mark, with additional backing from the Janata Dal (United), the Naga People's Front, and independent legislators.
The NPP’s decision to pull out of the coalition has come after protests and fresh violence broke out, particularly following the recovery of bodies of women and children. According to the NPP, the Manipur government, under the leadership of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, has completely failed to control the ethnic violence in the state and restore normalcy. The letter, issued on Sunday, stated that the state government’s inability to control violence and prevent the loss of innocent lives had left the party no choice but to withdraw its support with immediate effect.
Amit Shah reviews security situation in Manipur
Union Home Minister Amit Shah convened a meeting with top security officials on Sunday to review the state’s security situation. As per a report by news agency PTI, sources confirmed that Shah has directed authorities to take all necessary measures to restore peace in the region.
He is expected to hold another detailed meeting with top officers on Monday and take further steps.
Shah had canceled his election rallies in Maharashtra in the wake of escalating tensions in Manipur.
Kharge slams BJP’s handling of Manipur crisis
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, along with other senior party leaders, sharply criticized the BJP government’s handling of the violence in Manipur, accusing the ruling party of intentionally fueling the crisis for political gain. “We are saying it with utmost responsibility that it looks that the BJP deliberately wants Manipur to burn, for it serves its hateful divisive politics,” Kharge alleged in a post on X.
He pointed out that since November 7, at least 17 more people had lost their lives, and protests were expanding into neighboring states.
Kharge called on Modi to take immediate action to restore peace and help heal the wounds of the affected people.
Rahul Gandhi urges PM to visit Manipur
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi also condemned the ongoing situation calling it “deeply disturbing.” He urged the Prime Minister to visit the state to oversee efforts toward reconciliation.
“After more than a year of division and suffering, it was the hope of every Indian that the Central and state governments would make every effort at reconciliation and found a solution,” Gandhi wrote on X.
The ongoing ethnic strife between the Meitei and Kuki communities has seen more than 200 people killed since May 2023, and the violence remains unchecked despite several efforts to quell it.
