Separate meets fail to break ice, no trust motion hangs heavy Shah refuses to meet CM, dissenting Ministers

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 5 : In a double whammy for Chief Minister N Biren Singh, both the Congress and MLAs from his own party have decided to move a No-Confidence Motion in the State Assembly starting February 10.
This development, revealed by some BJP MLAs, came after BJP's North East in-charge Sambit Patra met Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Rural Development Minister Yumnam Khemchand and MLA Th Radheshyam separately today.
Summoned by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, N Biren Singh had flown to Delhi today.
After his arrival, the Chief Minister met Sambit Patra.
Later in the day, seven MLAs and Ministers followed him to Delhi on a chartered flight from Imphal.
Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla is also in Delhi. He flew to Delhi yesterday.
Sambit first met with Chief Minister N Biren Singh, and later in the evening met with Yumnam Khemchand and then Th Radheshyam.
During the meetings, Sambit Patra, on behalf of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, tried to convince Yumnam Khemchand and Th Radheshyam to remain calm until the end of the February session saying "the Centre has taken a decision to change leadership after".
Both Y Khemchand and Th Radheshyam however refused to wait for the Budget session and demanded immediate change in the Government and removal of the Chief Minister, and the meetings ended inconclusive, revealed some MLAs.
With the meetings failing to reach an understanding, the Union Home Minister has refused to meet both parties including the Chief Minister, the MLAs further revealed.
Y Khemchand and Th Radheshyam will return to Imphal tomorrow.
The objective of the urgent summons and meetings were to calm things down until the end of the February session and avoid the Government from falling in case a No Confidence Motion is moved, said the MLAs in contact with this paper.
"There are also BJP MLAs camping here in Imphal. Congress may move a No-Confidence Motion. But, we are also prepared to table a similar motion of no confidence. Yes, BJP MLAs too will move a No-Confidence Motion," said an MLA.
Meanwhile, the seven who left Imphal for Delhi on a chartered flight included Power Minister Th Biswajit, Works Minister Govindas Konthoujam, PHE Minister L Susindro, Lamlai AC MLA Kh Ibomcha, Patsoi MLA Sapam Kunjakeshwor, Langthabal MLA Karam Shyam and Kumbi MLA Sansam Premchandra.
These Ministers and MLAs are on the same page with the Chief Minister in the unfolding internal discord.
Interestingly, the seven MLAs and Ministers and Chief Minister N Biren Singh may visit Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj, claimed some MLAs.
"The State is facing a violent conflict and the Government is in a deep crisis. However, these seven have booked a chartered flight and with them the Chief Minister is likely visiting Kumbh Mela. But on whose money? Are they wasting public money, taxpayers money or are they booking the flight from their own pockets?" asked an MLA.
If they are travelling to Delhi on their way to Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj, they should have flown in a normal flight. Why a chartered flight ? asked another MLA.