IMPHAL: President of the opposition Congress-I party in Manipur, Rishang Keishing, Friday rushed to Delhi to meet the party’s central leaders in the wake of political crisis in the state.
Party sources said Keishing was likely to meet prime minister P V Narasimha Rao during his stay in the capital. He is scheduled to return before Monday – the day fixed for trial of strength of the front ministry, headed by chief minister sacked five ministers on Wednesday.
The ruling front claims to support of 33 members in the 60-member Manipur assembly, the opposition Congress-] maintain that 30 legislators had extended support to it.
According to Front sources the party-wise strength of the Front is: Manipur people’s party – 11, Janata Dal -11, Kuki National Assembly -2, CPI -3, National people’s party-1, unattached members -2 and Congress(S)-3.
On the other hand the Congress-I list is: Congress-I -26, (including seven disqualified members and six unattached members), newly formed Manipur Congress (S) -3 and national people’s party -1.
Both the Ruling Front and the opposition Congress-I have claimed to have enlisted the support of two unattached members and the lone National people’s party legislator.
However, the three members, who were present at the chief minister’s press conference Thursday, told newsmen that they would support the Front ministry.
The Congress-I is counting on the seven disqualified legislators. The disqualification order, served to them by the Manipur assembly speaker, was quashed by the Supreme Court recently.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 13, 1991
