The Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) recently addressed confusion regarding its stance on supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in Manipur. Despite some misleading claims, the JD(U) has reiterated its continued support for the N Biren Singh-led government in the state.
The clarification followed a letter by Kshetrimayum Biren Singh, the party's now-former Manipur unit president, which allegedly stated that JD(U) had withdrawn its support for the BJP.
This letter, sent to the Manipur Governor, claimed that the party's lone MLA, Md Abdul Nasir, would now sit in the Opposition.
JD(U) swiftly distanced itself from the letter, stating that it was written without the central leadership's approval. The party called the move "misleading" and sacked Biren Singh for his unilateral decision.
National spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad firmly addressed the issue, asserting that the letter did not reflect the party's true position. He emphasised that the party had not been consulted before the letter was sent out and that such an act of indiscipline was unacceptable.
Prasad reaffirmed that JD(U) continues to stand with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Manipur and at both the national and state levels.
In a further clarification, Prasad confirmed that JD(U) supports the BJP-led government in Manipur, despite the confusion stirred by the letter. He stated that the party remains committed to the NDA’s agenda of progress and development in the state.
The party, under the leadership of Nitish Kumar, continues to back the BJP's coalition in the state, including the alliance with N Biren Singh's government.
The controversy surrounding the letter is rooted in JD(U)'s internal party dynamics. After the 2022 Manipur Assembly elections, five out of JD(U)’s six MLAs defected to the BJP.
The letter from Biren Singh linked the decision to JD(U)’s alignment with the opposition INDIA alliance, which caused confusion given the party's long-standing relationship with the BJP at the Centre and in Bihar.
However, JD(U) swiftly moved to dispel any doubts, underlining that the action was taken without consultation and was not in line with the party's official stance.
Although the letter stirred some initial concerns, particularly due to JD(U)'s crucial role as a BJP ally in both Bihar and nationally, the BJP's position in Manipur remains strong.
With 37 seats in the 60-member assembly, the BJP government, supported by five Naga People's Front MLAs and three Independents, maintains a solid majority. Therefore, JD(U)'s internal reshuffle does not appear to have any significant impact on the stability of the N Biren Singh-led government.
This incident comes on the heels of a similar event last year when the National People’s Party (NPP), led by Conrad Sangma, withdrew its support from the BJP-led government in Manipur. However, JD(U)’s central leadership has distanced itself from this comparison.
The party has made it clear that its alliance with the BJP in Manipur, as well as in Bihar and at the national level, remains intact. JD(U)’s clarification underscores its ongoing commitment to the NDA and its role in supporting the BJP-led coalition in Manipur.
With the internal leadership reshuffle, JD(U) hopes to quell any confusion and assure its supporters of its continued alliance with the BJP in the state. The party’s focus, according to Prasad, is on serving the people of Manipur and contributing to the state’s development under the NDA's guidance.
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