Imphal, Mar 12: The Janata Dal (United) and the Naga People’s Front (NPF) on Saturday announced their support to the BJP-led government in Manipur, party sources said.
The JD(U), which fielded 38 candidates in the recent assembly elections, won six seats and the NPF, which put up 10 nominees, won five seats against four seats in 2017 assembly polls.
National Office Secretary of the JD(U) Mohammad Nisar in a statement said that in the interest of the people of Manipur, the JD(U) has decided to give support to the BJP in the formation of the Government.
The JD(U) would like to appeal to the BJP to honour the mandate reposed on the party and fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the people of Manipur, the statement said.
It said that the party legislators have unanimously elected Khumukcham Joykisan Singh as the leader of the legislature party of JD(U) in the presence of Afaque Ahmad Khan, National General Secretary in-charge of northeast region.
NPF Secretary General Achumbemo Kikon said the party supports the BJP government keeping in mind its association with BJP since 2017.
NPF sources said that the party is likely to seek a few cabinet berths in the new ministry.
The BJP secured absolute majority on its own and retained power in Manipur for the second consecutive term by winning 32 seats in the 60-member assembly.
The BJP came to power in Manipur for the first time in 2017 in alliance with the four National People’s Party (NPP) MLAs, four NPF members, the lone Trinamool Congress MLA and an Independent member.
The BJP’s estranged ally NPP, which won seven seats, has announced to play the role of opposition party in Manipur.
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Friday met Governor La Ganesan and resigned from his post while the Governor asked him to continue in his office until the new government took charge.
There was no confirmation till late Saturday evening as to when the next chief minister would be chosen and the new BJP-led government would assume office.
The BJP, before the two phase elections on February 28 and March 5, had informally declared that Singh will be the party’s chief ministerial face and will head the next government.
