JDU led by Nitish Kumar withdraws support from BJP-led govt in Manipur

PTC Web Desk: In a significant move, Janata Dal (United), led by Nitish Kumar, has officially withdrawn its support from the N Biren Singh-led BJP government in Manipur. The party's sole Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), Md. Abdul Nasir, will now sit in the Opposition Benches. While this decision is unlikely to affect the stability of the current government, it sends a powerful message due to the JDU's position as a key ally of the BJP at the national level and in Bihar.

This move follows the earlier exit of the Conrad Sangma-led National People's Party (NPP) from the ruling coalition, which also supported the BJP-led government in Manipur.

The JDU had secured six seats in the 2022 Manipur Assembly elections, but a few months later, five of its MLAs defected to the BJP, strengthening the ruling party's position. As of now, the BJP holds 37 seats in the 60-member Assembly, with additional backing from five members of the Naga People's Front and three Independents, ensuring a strong majority.

Ksh Biren Singh, the head of the JDU unit in Manipur, formally notified Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla about the withdrawal of support. In his letter, Biren Singh mentioned that after the JDU became a part of the INDIA alliance, the party decided to distance itself from the BJP-led state government.

Biren Singh's letter read: "Following the 2022 state Assembly elections, Janata Dal(United) secured six seats. However, five of our MLAs later joined the BJP, and the matter is still under the Speaker's Tribunal as per the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India. After JDU joined the INDIA alliance, we officially withdrew our support to the BJP government by informing the Governor’s office, Chief Minister, and the Speaker."

He further clarified that, "Md. Abdul Nasir, the lone JDU MLA in Manipur, is now seated in the Opposition Benches as confirmed by the Speaker during the last Assembly session."

The JDU's shift comes after a year of political twists for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who had previously switched alliances between the NDA and the INDIA opposition bloc. The JDU's support is crucial for the BJP in both national and regional contexts, particularly in Bihar, where state elections are expected later this year.