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The political landscape of Manipur is currently shrouded in uncertainty regarding the Janata Dal (United)'s (JD(U)) position within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). A recent letter from the Manipur JD(U) state president, Ksh Biren Singh, to the Governor, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, stated that the party does not support the BJP-led state government. This declaration, however, is directly contradicted by statements from the party's lone MLA, Md Abdul Nasir, and the national leadership, creating a confusing and contradictory situation. The letter explicitly reiterates the JD(U)'s Manipur unit's stance of non-support, classifying their lone MLA as an opposition member. A senior state JD(U) leader further clarified that the letter wasn't a withdrawal of support, but rather a confirmation of their pre-existing position. This is supported by the fact that the party's MLA sat on the opposition benches during the last assembly session.
However, this narrative is challenged by a source close to Abdul Nasir, who claims that the MLA has not withdrawn support from the government. This source indicates that Nasir will travel to Delhi to clarify the situation, highlighting the internal discord within the party's Manipur unit. Adding to the complexity, JD(U) national spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad released a video statement, dismissing the circulating rumors and asserting that the party remains a part of the NDA and supports the governments in Manipur, Bihar, and other states. He further stated that Ksh Biren Singh, the author of the contradictory letter, has been removed from his post due to accusations of indiscipline. This statement directly contradicts the claims made by the Manipur state unit, exposing a significant rift within the party's structure and decision-making process.
The timing of the JD(U)'s letter is particularly significant, coming just two months after the National People's Party (NPP), another NDA constituent, withdrew its support from the Biren Singh government due to concerns over the handling of ethnic violence in the state. This highlights the growing instability of the BJP-led coalition government in Manipur. The JD(U)'s current predicament is further complicated by its history in Manipur. The party won six seats in the 2022 Assembly elections, but following Nitish Kumar's departure from the NDA in August 2022, five of its MLAs defected to the BJP. This defection, accepted by the Speaker, further weakened the JD(U)'s position within the state. A Manipur JD(U) leader defending the decision to not support the government explained that the party initially provided issue-based support after rejoining the NDA in January 2023, but has now clarified its full opposition to the current administration.
The conflicting statements and actions demonstrate a clear power struggle within the JD(U), with the central leadership attempting to maintain the party's position within the NDA, while the Manipur unit expresses its opposition to the state government. The situation raises questions about the internal cohesion of the JD(U) and its commitment to the NDA alliance. The upcoming clarification from MLA Nasir will be crucial in determining the actual stance of the party in Manipur, and whether this internal conflict will lead to further instability within the state government. The situation also highlights the fragility of coalition governments and the potential for internal disputes to create significant political uncertainty. The consequences of this power struggle could have significant ramifications for the BJP's ability to maintain its hold on power in Manipur, particularly given the ongoing ethnic violence and the weakening of its coalition partners.
Source: JD(U) in or out of NDA in Manipur? Confusion prevails