Manipur NPP wants SIR in state before 2027 Assembly polls

Imphal, Aug 25 (NNN): Amid the row over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar, the National People’s Party (NPP) has decided to ask the Centre to carry out a similar drive in Manipur before the 2027 Assembly election.

NPP national vice president Yumnam Joykumar Singh, who is also a former deputy chief minister of Manipur, made the statement on Sunday at the party’s office at Naoremthong, Imphal West.

He said during the last Assembly election in Manipur, there were serious issues of “dual voters, bogus votes and illegal migrants” being part of the electoral roll.

“The general body meeting of the party today (on Sunday) resolved to press the central government and the Election Commission of India to conduct and complete the SIR before the next Assembly polls in Manipur,” Joykumar said.

On the ongoing crisis in Manipur, Joykumar said dialogue between civil society groups of both the warring communities is important. He referred to the recent meeting between Thadou Inpi Manipur and Meitei bodies as an example that should be followed more often.

The NPP leader then said if a new popular government is formed with the party’s support, it should be called the Manipur Democratic Alliance (MDA). He added that such a government must prepare a common minimum programme and a long-term peace plan.

The NPP’s alliance government in Meghalaya is called the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance.

Joykumar also recalled that the party had pulled out of the BJP-led government in Manipur in November last year because of the government’s “failure to resolve the crisis, which led to chaos and suffering.”

However, the NPP continues to remain a part of the NDA at the Centre.