MSCP toys with outside support option to Cong Consensus yet to be worked out

IMPHAL, Apr 2: Leaders of Manipur State Congress party (MSCP) have reportedly decided to lend outside support to the O Ibobi Singh-led Congress Government despite differences of opinion persisting amongst its five legislators on supporting the Government.

An MSCP spokesperson speaking on condition of anonymity told The Sangai Express that party leaders have opted to work together with the Congress Government and had issued directives to the five party MLAs to iron out their differences and convey their stand to the organisation as soon as possible.

Some of the party MLAs are against the idea of supporting the O Ibobi- Government from outside even as some of them have no problem to such a relationship, said the spokes- person who confided that decision of the party leaders to lend support to the Government is solely based on the concept that some development works can be undertaken at the constituencies having MSCP legislators if they have cordial working relationships with the ruling party.

Disclosing that some party MLAs prefer to be on the Opposition bench to enact their roles as an effective Opposition, the MSCP functionary also conceded that as the Congress party has already gained absolute majority with 42 MLAs in the 60-member 10th Manipur legislative Assembly presence of the Opposition in the House would be marginalised.

Recounting that there had been intimation to the MSCP from the congress party to extend support in the recent past, he clarified that inspite of consensus among the party leaders to work with the Government, observation of party MLAs on the issue would be minutely discussed for necessary measures as and when the MLAs convey their position.

Sharing personal his view on the matter, the spokesperson said the question of extending outside support or not does not concern the expansion of the Council of Ministers and added a definite decision on the issue would be finalised based on the consensus among the party MLAs.

other than lending outside support to the Government there is no question of merging with the Congress party, asserted the spokesperson.

It may be mentioned that with the lone lok Janshakti MLA from Langthabal AC having already decided to sit on the Treasury Bench of the Assembly, the strength of the Opposition MLAs would be only 12 in case MSCP legislators also decide to support the O Ibobi-led Government.

The Trinamool Congress has seven MLAs while the Naga People's Front has four MLAs in its kitty.

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