May support BJP in Manipur again if leadership is changed: Conrad K. Sangma

Meghalaya CM Sangma hints at NPP support for BJP in Manipur if leadership change brings peace.

The Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said his National People’s Party (NPP) may support the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Manipur again if a change in leadership in the ethnic conflict-scarred State leads to an environment of peace.

On Sunday , the NPP withdrew support from the Nongthombam Biren Singh-led government for its “complete failure” in resolving the crisis and restoring normalcy in the State. Headed by Mr. Sangma, the NPP is Manipur’s second-largest party, with seven MLAs in the 60-member House.

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“We have made it clear that our withdrawal of support was specific to him, the individual (Mr. Singh). If we see a change in leadership and a positive step forward to resolve the conflict, we can constructively cooperate and contribute to ensuring that peace and normalcy return in Manipur,” the Meghalaya CM said on Monday.

He said the NPP would be happy to work with the BJP again if the party found there were efforts to end the clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities that have claimed more than 260 lives and displaced some 60,000 others.

“Incidents have been taking place for more than a year in Manipur but we were hopeful of a positive result. The situation deteriorated further last week, convincing our State leaders that they could not move forward [in the alliance],” Mr. Sangma said.

“There may not have been a specific plan behind the violence in Manipur as such things can happen when sentiments are high. There were some efforts to contain the situation but they were not enough,” he said.