Governor Najma Heptulla invites BJP to form government in Manipur; Oath taking ceremony today

In a major development over the ongoing confusion over the formation of government in Manipur, the Governor Najma Heptulla has invited BJP to form the government in the state, which has now paved the way for N Biren Singh to be sworn in as the next Chief Minister of Manipur.

The oath taking ceremony is touted to take place at 1 PM on Wednesday, March 14. Chief Ministers from all the north-eastern states have been invited to grace the oath taking ceremony. For now, the Chief Minister of Sikkim has decided to skip the function amid the ongoing budget session in the state.

Earlier, Four Naga People’s Front (NPF) MLAs had met Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla and extended their support to the BJP for the formation of the new government in the state.

Also read: Manipur Assembly Polls | Four NPF MLAs meet Governor, extend support to BJP

Late night on Monday, outgoing Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh had submitted his resignation after Governor Najma Heptullah said she could not start the process of government formation in the state that has got a hung Assembly, till he quits.

The BJP has claimed that it enjoys the support of 32 MLAs in the 60-member Assembly.

The Congress has won 28 seats in Manipur while the BJP has secured 21. The NPP and the NPF have won four seats each. Lokjanshakti Party and Trinamool Congress bagged one seat each.

Also read | Manipur hung assembly: CM Ibobi Singh resigns, BJP stakes claim to form government