Prepared to stake claim with Speaker as leader: Rameshwor

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 6 : Stating that it will be far more desirable to hold fresh elections if no popular Government is to be reinstated, BJP MLA Lourembam Rameshwor has asserted that majority of the MLAs from both the valley and the hills would elect the Speaker as their leader and stake claim to the Government for formation of a popular Government as a last ditch effort in case the Centre does not reinstate a popular Government within the current month.
A new store named ‘The Solutions’ dealing in construction materials was opened today at Tangjeng Lamkhai, Thoubal district with Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Th Satyabrata as the chief guest  where MLA L Rameshwor Meetei was also present.
Responding to queries raised by media persons by the sideline of the opening function, Rameshwor exuded confidence that a new, popular Government would be formed in the State within the current month.
“I think some Central leaders would come to Imphal ahead of the formation of a popular Govet”, he said.
If a popular Government is not formed within the month of November, BJP’s prospect in the next State Assembly election will not be bright. Apart from BJP facing a grim prospect, the suffering of IDPs who have been living in relief camps for over two years and a half will only aggravate, the BJP MLA said.
Saying that the State’s economy is extremely bad, Rameshwor asserted that a popular Govt is needed urgently. He remarked that Manipur, at present, is drifting with no authority.
At present, all the top administrative posts are being held by non-local people. As these top administrators do not feel they belong to the land, the State’s development is now stagnant, he said.
Even though the State has funds for construction of roads under Rural Development, tenders for many roads have not been floated yet. Thus several development works have been delayed for the past two years, the BJP MLA said.
He also noted that people in different parts of the State have been constrained to stage protest against extremely worn out roads.
Expressing keen desire for reinstatement of a popular Govt which would take up several development works speedily, Rameshwor said that it is far more desirable to hold fresh elections instead of prolonging the people’s suffering if no popular Govt is to be reinstated at all.
On being asked if there is any possibility of BJP MLAs deserting the party if the Centre does not give the nod to formation of a popular Government, Rameshwor said that it depends on the wisdom and choice of the MLAs.
The MLAs may have grievances but as of now, no BJP has openly talked about leaving the party, he said.
On being asked about the final stand of BJP legislators in case the Centre does not allow formation of a popular Government within the month of November, Rameshwor said that there are still some MLAs who are of the same mind.
“We are prepared to stake claim to the Governor for Government formation and we have been waiting for an opportunity. Majority of the MLAs from both the hills and the valley will project the Speaker as the new leader and we will stake claim to the Governor”, Rameshwor said.