Governor asks Biren Singh to serve as caretaker CM

Imphal: A day after the BJP stormed back to power in Manipur for the second consecutive term, Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday met Governor La Ganesan and resigned from his post, while the Governor asked him to continue in his office until the new Government took charge, officials said.

A Raj Bhavan official said that the Chief Minister accompanied by other Ministers and MLAs met the Governor and submitted his resignation letter. Later, Singh tweeted: "Called on Hon'ble Governor of Manipur at the Raj Bhavan to tender my resignation from the post of Chief Minister today. I will now be serving as the caretaker Chief Minister."

Responding to the hundreds of congratulatory messages sent by the Prime Minister, many Central Ministers and leaders from across the country, Singh tweeted: "The entire party karyakarta is thankful to our Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji for his guidance and relentless efforts in bringing peace and development in the State. With this decisive win, we are marching ahead to achieve greater heights under your able leadership."

Sources said that the BJP central leadership is likely to decide on the leadership within a day or two. The BJP had earlier, before the two-phase elections (on February 28 and March 5), informally declared that Singh will be the party's Chief Ministerial face and will head the next Government.

In the Northeastern region, after Assam, the BJP, securing absolute majority on its own, retained power in Manipur for the second consecutive term by winning 32 seats in the 60-member Assembly.

The 61-year-old Congress-turned-BJP leader retained his stronghold Heingang Assembly constituency for a record fifth time in a row.

He defeated his rival Congress candidate Pangeijam Saratchandra Singh by a margin of 18,271 votes.

BANDH & BLOCKADE FACTOR: Meanwhile, making the State free from bandh and blockade are among the reasons listed by the BJP for the party's historic victory in the Manipur Assembly elections.

"People of Manipur voted against bandh, blockade, disruption and insurgency. People have understood who all were behind the bandh and blockade culture, so they have voted for the BJP to make Manipur peaceful and free of all blockades," a senior party functionary said.

The saffron party also credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for initiating the peace process in Manipur.

"There is a large coalition of political parties, not only in Manipur but in other Northeastern States as well, which is against the BJP on the name of AFSPA. But BJP coming to power in Manipur on its own, by completely uprooting the Congress, shows that the nationalist force has won. People have understood who promotes disruption, and who actually wants peace," a party insider said.

"Complete uprooting of Congress, which ruled Manipur for all these years, either alone or in alliance, is another reason behind BJP's success. Congress' fall in the State is a story in itself," a BJP functionary said.

"For the first time, the BJP has got majority on its own in Manipur. Brand Modi has helped us to get the mandate and create history," a party insider said.

Also read: Manipur achieves all-time high with 5 women MLAs

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