NPF to 'pull out' of BJP-led government in Manipur after Lok Sabha poll process is over

The Naga People's Front (NPF) on Saturday announced to pull out of BJP-led coalition government in the state soon after the Lok Sabha election process is completed.

"We had a long meeting at NPF central office in Kohima and decided to withdraw support in principle from the BJP-led Manipur government," Achumbemo Kikon, Naga People's Front (NPF) spokesperson told ANI.

NPF leader and former Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang also took to Twitter and said that his party is upset with the "indifferent attitude" of the BJP.

"After an intense deliberation and review meeting with the party functionaries and the NPF MLAs of Manipur state, the NPF has decided in principle to pull out our 4 NPF MLAs from the BJP led government in Manipur headed by N Biren Singh soon after the LS election is completed," Zeliang tweeted.

"This decision at this juncture is necessitated due to the indifferent attitude of the BJP towards us, its coalition partner in Manipur and also in the State of Nagaland. Further implementation of this decision will be finalised after the election process," he added.

This comes after Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Thursday said the demands of NPF would be taken up for consideration after the Lok Sabha elections conclude.

Speaking to ANI, Singh said, "There was an understanding between NPF and BJP during the formation of the government in the state."

"But due to some unavoidable circumstances, the demands of NPF leaders are pending. These will be taken up by senior party leaders in the state after the Lok Sabha elections are over," he said.

On being asked about the possibility of a reshuffle in the government, Singh said, "Right now I cannot say anything about this. We are in election mood now. I am here in Delhi for the election campaign. I am positive that BJP is coming back to power at the Centre. Modiji is coming back again."

In the polls conducted last year for the 60-member Manipur state assembly, INC got 28 seats, BJP (21 seats), NPF (4 seats), NPP (4 seats), AITC (1 seat), Independent (1 seat) and LJP (1 seat).

The Congress party is also monitoring the political situation in Manipur closely.AICC in-charge for Manipur, Luziheno Falerio told ANI that the party is "observing the current political situation of Manipur and chalking out the strategy and will take a final call day after tomorrow because hearing of a petition is on Monday in the Supreme Court on the disqualification of Congress MLA who joined BJP and became minister in the state government."