Delhi meeting will decide outcome

By Our Correspondent

IMPHAL, MAY 23. The BJP-led People's Democratic Alliance in Manipur is confident of forming the next ministry even as the demand by the Congress, the CPI and the Samata Party for imposition of President's rule is becoming strident.

As per the agreement between the BJP and the Samata to maintain status quo till May 28 the PDA leader, Mr. R.K. Dorendra, is not staking claim for the Chief Minister's post.

He, however, called on the Governor, Mr. Ved Prakash Marwah, this morning. He did not tell presspersons what transpired at the meeting. He will attend the May 28 meeting in New Delhi of BJP and Samata leaders.

Meanwhile the 10 MSCP(C) MLAs have clarified that they voted against the Koijam Ministry to avert imposition of President's rule.

The BJP central leaders are obviously treating the 26 party MLAs of the State with kid gloves since they know that the situation is fluid and the loyalty of the MLAs fickle.

Most of the 40 MLAs now in the Progressive Democratic Alliance have changed their loyalty several times. It is clear that the PDA members will not hesitate to form a separate party to stake claim for power in case the BJP leaders do not allow them to do so. A PDA spokesman said that in the 60-member House with an effective strength of 59 the PDA should be allowed to form the next government. This group is waiting for the outcome of the May 28 meeting.

The spokesman further said that ``in a democracy'' the Samata Party, with 13 MLAs, ``should not dictate terms and demand leadership''.

It is in this background that the Samata Party is is demanding imposition of a short spell of President's rule.

Ceasefire issue

The Samata spokesman here, Mr. Nimaichand Luwang, has contended that the Centre has already given the final touches to extending the ceasefire with the NSCN(I-M) to the Naga-populated areas of Manipur.

He said the people and the Government of Manipur oppose the move as it will have serious implications for the territorial integrity of the State. He referred to the demand for a greater Nagaland merging all Naga-populated areas of neighbouring States with Nagaland.

He said that if the ceasefire is extended to Manipur the BJP and its allies here will be held responsible.

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Section  : Other States
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