TMC MLA threatens to quit

FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

IMPHAL, January 20: MLA Shyamkumar Thouojam, the TMC state president, today announced that if the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi and Prime Minister rendra Modi cannot spruce up functioning of various departments in Manipur, he will tender resigtion from the membership of the House in the first week of April.

Significantly, he is not saying that he will not contest in the inevitable by–poll in the Andro constituency. His political detractors say that he is just planning to change his political pigmentation at the cost of the tax payers’ money.

Talking to reporters, Thouojam said that the veteriry department failed to take up timely actions to prevent the outbreak of the rabies in Manipur. The public health engineering department has failed to supply potable water. The health department has failed to ensure healthcare facilities. There are other generalised criticisms of the government departments.

Thouojam has been a very active MLA and he is very popular in the constituency. It is a known fact that he will win the next elections in any party ticket hands down. His detractors feel that he is planning to contest the by–poll in BJP ticket. This party has been without an MLA or MP and if he wins, which is certain, he will be the first BJP MLA in Manipur. In other words chances of his becoming the next Chief Minister of Manipur after the 2017 Assembly elections are very high.

On the other hand, the TMC which had won 7 seats in the last Assembly elections held in 2012 is in a quandary. One TMC MLA Kunjo Maibam had died recently. The party had failed to win the seat and the ruling Congress won it.

Besides, the TMC MLAs including the president himself are facing disqualification proceedings. Reports suggest that the hearings were concluded and that any day the speaker Lokeswor Thokchom may give his rulings. There is no cast iron guarantee that Thouojam will not be disqualified.

Political observers feel that since there is no charm to remain as an MLA he may try to pave way to his political career by becoming the first BJP MLA in Manipur. In case he resigns, the disqualification proceedings will also be dropped.