Congress to work as a responsible opposition: Okram Ibobi

Imphal, March 15: Former Congress Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh on Wednesday said his party will be a responsible watchdog of the coalition government lef by the BJP. Ibobi was a conspicuous invitee to Wednesday’s swearing-in ceremony of the Bharatiya Jata Party-led coalition ministry in Imphal. Ibobi said that since his party was not given a chance to form the ministry, it will remain a responsible watchdog of the coalition government.
Manipur has had no vibrant opposition for several years.
Governor jma Heptullah, who invited the BJP leader N. Biren Singh to form the ministry, said, “The BJP has the requisite numbers. It was in the interest of Manipur to have invited the BJP. Political stability and development are the issues.” Ibobi, who had claimed majority support, could not physically produce the supporters of the Congress before the Governor. In the March elections, the ruling Congress bagged 28 seats in the 60-member House. The BJP, which had opened accounts in 2015 after a gap of 15 years by winning two seats in the by-elections, got 21 seats.
The ga People’s Front and the tiol People’s Party got four seats each. All India Trimool Congress, the Lok Jashakti Party and Independents got one seat each. (IANS)