JD(U) denies withdrawing support from BJP-led Manipur government

JD(U) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad has strongly rejected recent reports suggesting that the party is withdrawing its support from the BJP-led government in Manipur, terming them as "misleading and baseless."

Speaking to ANI, Prasad clarified that the Manipur unit's president acted without consulting the central leadership, which resulted in disciplinary action and his removal from the position.

#WATCH | Delhi: JD(U) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad says, "This is misleading and baseless. The party has taken cognisance of this and the president of Manipur unit of the party has been relieved of his position. We have supported NDA and our support to the NDA… https://t.co/PhAJwAp4xn pic.twitter.com/usvowgta3n

— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2025

He stated, "This is misleading and baseless. The party has taken cognisance of this and the president of the Manipur unit has been relieved of his position. We have supported NDA, and our support to the NDA government in Manipur will continue even in future. The Manipur unit did not have any communication with the central leadership, they were not taken into confidence. He (Manipur JD(U) chief) had written the letter on his own. Considering this an act of indiscipline, action has been taken against him and relieved of his position."

Prasad further emphasized, "We are with the NDA and the state unit will continue to serve the people of Manipur towards the development of the state."

Earlier, JD(U)'s Manipur Chief Ksh. Biren Singh had issued a statement suggesting that the party’s lone MLA in Manipur would now be treated as an Opposition MLA in the assembly. Singh explained, "In the election to the State Assembly of Manipur held in February/March 2022, six candidates set up by Janata Dal(United) were returned.

After a few months, five MLAs of Janata Dal(United) defected to BJP. Trial under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India for the five MLAs is pending before the Speaker's Tribunal."

He added, "After Janata Dal(United) became part of the INDIA bloc, support to the BJP-led government was withdrawn by Janata Dal(United) by informing the office of the Governor, Leader of the House (Chief Minister), and Speaker."

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Singh confirmed that, "As such, the seating arrangement of the lone MLA of Janata Dal (United) in Manipur, Md Abdul Nasir, is made in the Opposition Bench in the last session of the Assembly by the Speaker. It is, hereby, further reiterated that Janata Dal(United), Manipur Unit does not support the BJP-led state government in Manipur, and our lone MLA, Md. Abdul Nasir shall be treated as an opposition MLA in the House."