Mon Nov 18 15:04:42 UTC 2024: ## NPP Withdraws Support from Manipur Government, But Leaves Door Open for Future Cooperation

**Imphal, Manipur –** The National People’s Party (NPP), Manipur’s second-largest party, has withdrawn its support from Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh’s government, citing its failure to resolve the ongoing ethnic conflict. The decision, announced Sunday, leaves the BJP-led coalition government with a precarious majority.

The NPP, led by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, holds seven seats in the 60-member Manipur Assembly. Sangma clarified that the withdrawal targets Biren Singh specifically, not the BJP as a whole. He stated that the NPP could reconsider its position if a change in leadership leads to progress in resolving the conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.

“Our withdrawal was specific to Biren Singh,” Sangma said. “If we see a change in leadership and positive steps towards peace, we can constructively cooperate.” He added that the NPP has been in communication with BJP leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah and party president J.P. Nadda, urging confidence-building measures.

While the BJP currently holds a majority, the situation remains fragile. Seven BJP MLAs from the Kuki-Zo community have remained absent from Imphal since the conflict began in May 2023, weakening the government’s support base. The potential withdrawal of support from the Naga People’s Front (NPF), which holds five seats, poses a further threat to the government’s stability. Other smaller parties and independents could potentially fill the gap, but face potential public backlash.

The conflict, which has claimed over 260 lives and displaced approximately 60,000 people, continues to be a major concern. The NPP’s decision highlights the deep divisions within the ruling coalition and the challenges facing the Manipur government in bringing an end to the violence. The NPP now joins the opposition in Manipur, alongside the Congress and the Kuki People’s Alliance.

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