Imphal, Nov 18 (HBTV): In a significant turn of events, the National People’s Party (NPP) on Sunday withdrew its support backing to the ruling BJP government in Manipur due to the ongoing ethnic tensions within the state and ineffective handling of the issues by the government to restore peace. The NPP’s announcement comes amid spiraling violence in the state, which has been in deadly skirmishes since May 2023.

The NPP national president Conrad K Sangma in a letter submitted to JP Nadda has said the regional party has decided to withdraw its support from the Manipur coalition government.

Conrad K Sangma, who is also the chief minister of Meghalaya, cited his “deep concern over the prevailing law and order situation in the State of Manipur. He said it “strongly feel that the Manipur State Government under the leadership of N Biren Singh Singh has completely failed to resolve the crisis and restore normalcy.

The letter also noted the escalating crisis in the state in the last few days. “We have seen the situation further deteriorate where many more innocent lives have been lost and people in the State are going through immense suffering,” added the letter.

“Keeping the current situation in mind, the National People’s Party has decided to withdraw its support to the Biren Singh led Government in the State of Manipur, with immediate effect,” Sangma wrote.

The NPP before the withdrawal had seven MLAs in the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly. With 32 BJP MLAs in the Assembly, N Biren Singh led BJP coalition government has the backing of the five Naga People’s Front (NPF), six Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], and three Independent MLAs. Two Kuki People’s Alliance (KPA) had withdrawn its support in 2023.

dependent MLAs. Two Kuki People’s Alliance (KPA) had withdrawn its support in 2023.