Congress flags Manipur CM’s threat against no-trust motion

Former Manipur Chief Minister and Congress leader Okram Ibobi Singh. File
| Photo Credit: ANI

The Manipur unit of the Congress alleged on Monday (February 3, 2025) that Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh had threatened MLAs and told them not to move a no-trust motion against his government in the upcoming session of the 60-member State Assembly.

A Congress delegation led by former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh met Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan in Imphal and handed over a memorandum. Later, the Congress leaders told journalists that the party had apprised the Governor of the threat.

“At an event organised by the BJP at its head office (in Imphal) on January 14, 2025, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said that any MLA who moves a no-confidence motion will not be able to stay in the house as he will be chased by the people,” Mr. Ibobi Singh, leader of the Manipur Congress Legislature Party said.

He said Mr. Biren Singh’s statement did not behove a chief minister.

Uncivilised statement

“The statement is uncivilised and unbecoming of a leader. Moving a no-trust motion falls within the rights and privileges of the members which are written into the Constitution,” he said.

Mr. Ibobi Singh said the Congress requested the Governor to advise the State government, particularly the Chief Minister. “If something goes wrong during the Assembly session, it will be the sole responsibility of the State government,” he said.

He said the Congress would speak to its MLAs to decide whether or not to move a non-confidence motion.

The Assembly session begins on February 10. Ten Kuki MLAs, who have stayed away from Imphal since the ethnic conflict broke out in May 2023, are unlikely to attend. They include seven from the Bharatiya Janata Party.