Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday raised serious concerns over the actions of the Manipur Governor, accusing him of violating Article 174(1) of the Indian Constitution. This article mandates that there should be no more than a six-month gap between two consecutive legislative sessions.
The 7th session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, which was set to begin on February 10, was declared “null and void” by a notice issued by Assembly Secretary K. Meghajit Singh on Sunday, effective immediately.
In a post on X, Ramesh questioned the Governor’s failure to summon the assembly, especially after the resignation of Chief Minister Biren Singh on Sunday night, just ahead of a no-confidence motion scheduled for Monday.
“Today marks the last day for a constitutionally mandated sitting of the Manipur Legislative Assembly,” Ramesh wrote. “Article 174(1) of the Constitution of India requires that there cannot be more than a six-month gap between two sessions. Why is the Manipur Governor violating this constitutional provision by not calling the assembly into session?” he asked.
Ramesh further alleged that the session was declared null and void because the BJP was unable to appoint a successor to the Chief Minister, against whom the Congress was set to move a no-confidence motion. Singh’s resignation, he claimed, came just hours before the motion was supposed to be introduced.
Speaking to ANI, Ramesh emphasized the constitutional requirement that no more than six months can elapse between legislative sessions. “Yesterday, the six-month period ended, yet the Governor declared the session null and void. This is unconstitutional. A no-confidence motion was supposed to be presented, but Biren Singh resigned just hours before. The BJP is unsure of who the new CM will be, so the Governor issued the directive to cancel the session,” he said.
Biren Singh tendered his resignation to Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Sunday night, nearly two years after violent unrest erupted in the state. Singh was accompanied by BJP President A Sharda, BJP’s North East Manipur in-charge Sambit Patra, and at least 19 MLAs.
The violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities, which began on May 3, 2023, following a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM), has resulted in over 200 deaths. The situation remains tense in the state.