IMPHAL, Feb 29: In a significant development that may have a large bearing on the post poll political environment in the state, CPI Manipur State Council has been withdrawn from the Congress led Secular Progressive Front (SPF). This was formally announced by CPI state secretary, Dr M Nara Singh at a press conference today which was also addressed by chairman, N Mangi Singh and executive council member, P Parijat.
The executive council of CPI held several hours of deliberations during the day at Irawat Bhavan before announcing its decision. The party also asked Parijat and Mangi to resign immediately from their positions as Minister for Agriculture, Labour & Employment and Chairman, MANIDCO respectively.
In an attack on its former coalition partner, Nara Singh said that the congress party did not consult them in matters related with policy decisions and arbitrarily changing portfolios of ministers. He lamented the prevailing law & order situation, lack of governance, failure to provide basic amenities, etc.
He recalled that the SPF coalition was formed in 2002 and alleged that many of the common minimum programs were not implemented in the 10 years since the coalition came to power.
While addressing the press, Parijat said that the party will take up the cause of the people whether they are in the opposition bench or otherwise after the results of the polls are announced. He also indicated that the party could join hands with other non-congress parties but insisted that the CPI was ideology driven and not power hungry. While members of the original constituents of SPF from NCP and MSCP moved on to join the congress party, the CPI had remained firm and stood its ground, he added. He also claimed that AFSPA was withdrawn from seven constituencies after the CPI exerted pressure on the government.
N Mangi Singh was more forthcoming when he stated that the priority of the party will be to form a stable government without discriminating small or large parties.