Surjewala Alleges BJP Has 'Abducted' Independent MLA From Airport

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posted on 7 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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The great muddle in Manipur continued for the second day on Sunday, with a dramatic twist. Even as both national parties are within striking distance of forming the next government, Randeep Surjewala of the Congress alleged that the BJP had ‘abducted’ an independent MLA and taken him to Kolkata.

BJP now misusing CISF & Airport authorities to detain & abduct Independent MLA, Asabuddin at Imphal, Airport and take him to Calcutta. 1/n? Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) March 12, 2017

2/n ModiGovt is playing a dangerous game of subverting democracy & abducting MLA's by misusing CISF at Imphal Airport despite electoral loss? Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) March 12, 2017

3/n Independent MLA,Asabuddin is travelling with Minister, Sh. Nasir. Federalism & rule of law being murdered in broad daylight by ModiGovt.? Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) March 12, 2017

A mandate to govern will ensure only a wafer thin majority for whoever forms the government. News18 spoke to sources in various political camps to piece together the possible permutations

— The Congress needs 3 MLAs to get simple majority.

— The BJP has 21 MLAs and needs at least 10 to form the government.

— Naga People's Front (NPF) has written a letter to the Governor stating that their four MLAs will not support any Congress government.

— Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) has one MLA and has decided to go with the BJP.

— National People's Party (NPP) chief Conrad Sangma is in a huddle with his four MLAs to decide whom to support. Conrad Sangma's main rival in Meghalaya is the Congress and he is part of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance.

— The Trinamool MLA, it is widely believed, will go with whoever forms the government. As he is the lone legislator, the party doesn't have much control over him.Here are the possible scenarios:

— The Congress has elected Okram Ibobi Singh as the leader of its Legislature Party and may stake claim to form the government soon. The Congress is looking for the support of Asabuddin and the Trinamool MLA. This takes their tally to 30. The LJP decides to go with BJP, so the only non-aligned group left is NPP.

— Congress tries to induce the Naga Peoples’ Front MLAs to force the leadership to let them support Congress. If they can manage this, the Congress is home and dry. But that’s a big 'if'.

— BJP needs 10 more MLAs. Naga Peoples’ Front has already pledged support to non-Congress government. Lok Janshakti Party has assured support to BJP. This brings their tally to 26. If the National People's Party lends supports they will reach 30, two more than Congress, and can stake claim to form the government.

— Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla, a BJP appointee, may then call the BJP to form the government. Once the government is formed, the BJP believes it will not be difficult for them to win over at least one of two MLAs.

But, whoever forms the government will have a wafer thin majority of one or two MLAs.

The BJP, going into the elections had said they will not align with the Naga Peoples’ Front. Some feel there could be resentment in the valley if BJP ties up with them. But some top leaders of the BJP feel this resentment can be smoothed over if they are able to keep their poll promise of removing the economic blockade of the valley once in power.

Even 24 hours after the results, both Congress and BJP government appear equally possible. But a strong BJP government at the Centre gives them a definite edge.