Congress stakes claim to form government in Manipur
Imphal, May 18: Leaders of the opposition Congress in Manipur called on Governor J. Mukhi on Friday to formally stake claim to form an alternative government in the state.
Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla is on leave while Assam's Governor Mukhi is looking after Manipur these days.
Soon after coming out of Raj Bhavan, Opposition leader and former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said: "We demanded an immediate dismissal of the BJP-led coalition in Manipur because Congress, which had secured 28 seats in March 2017 Assembly elections, was not given a chance to form a government despite emerging as the single largest party.
"If we are given a chance to form the government, we can easily prove majority within a few days."
However, Mukhi said he would look into the memorandum submitted by the Congress.
The BJP, which secured 21 seats in last year's elections, was given the first chance to form a government. It had joined hands with some splinter parties.
Declining to comment on the political developments unfolding in Karnataka, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said: "It is a constitutional matter and I would not like to comment on it."
Ibobi said that his party will wait till 4 p.m. on Saturday and then it will take its next course of action.
Several politicians and legal luminaries are of the view that the fate of the coalition government in Manipur hangs precariously on the outcome of the trial of strength in Karnataka.
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Mayawati criticises 'hasty' passage of Waqf Bill, says BSP does not support it
Lucknow (PTI): Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Friday criticised the central government for "rushing" the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, saying that the legislation should have been introduced only after addressing people's concerns and clarifying doubts.
Her remarks came after the Rajya Sabha passed the Bill late Thursday night, a day after its approval in the Lok Sabha, where the opposition strongly opposed it.
"After listening to both the ruling party and the opposition in Parliament on the Waqf Amendment Bill, the conclusion is that if the central government had given the public more time to understand the Bill and addressed all their concerns before bringing it forward, it would have been better," Mayawati posted on X in Hindi.
The BSP leader further expressed disappointment over what she termed as the government's "haste" in passing the Bill.
"It is unfortunate that the government hurriedly introduced and passed this Bill, which is not appropriate. Now that it has been passed, if governments misuse it, then the BSP will stand firmly with the Muslim community. In other words, the party does not support this Bill," she added.
