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Manipur government gets wobbly

W Nipamacha Singh's coalition government in Manipur has suffered yet another jolt -- two independent legislators, D P Panmei and A K Langam, withdrew support Wednesday.

With this, the strength of the ruling United Front in the 60-member assembly is down to 35.

The independent MLAs submitted a joint-letter to Governor O N Shrivastava indicating their decision, copies of which were forwarded to the chief minister and the assembly speaker.

On December 31, the seven-member Manipur Peoples Party, with its two ministers, had distanced itself from Nipamacha's government.

Panmei, a former family planning minister, said in a telephone interview that he and his colleague withdrew as they had 'lost faith' in Nipamacha. He charged the government with neglecting developmental works.

He said the state's progress had been hampered by the 'inept handling' of the current situation. The month-long strike of the Joint Administrative Council of the All Manipur Trade Union Council and All Manipur Government Employees Organisation was yet to be settled, he pointed out.

The entire administrative work in the state had come to a standstill in the past one month, Panmei added.

He also accused the government of failing to maintain the law and order situation, alleging that the chief minister's functioning was ''undemocratic and dictatorial."

The MPP too had accused the government of indulging in corruption, favouritism and nepotism.

The opposition Congress has 14 MLAs in the House.

UNI

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