The Janata Dal (United) on Saturday extended support to the ruling BJP to form the next government in Manipur.
JDU is the second party after the Naga People’s Front (NPF) to offer support to the BJP but the latter has the requisite number to form the government on its own — 32 MLAs in a House of 60.
The term of the present dispensation ends on March 19.
JDU that won six of the 38 seats it contested and NPF are allies of the BJP but contested the polls separately.
Chief minister N. Biren Singh, widely expected to continue in the top post for a second straight term, has said the NPF, which won five of the 10 seats it contested, will be part of the new government.
BJP insiders said the JDU could become a part of the new dispensation given its equation with the ruling party at the national level.
JDU, which also rules Bihar in alliance with the BJP, had not fielded any candidate against Biren Singh or against his predecessor — the Congress’s Okram Ibobi Singh — who retained his Thoubal seat.
The NPP, also an ally of the BJP, which won seven seats will have to stay out. Congress won a dismal five seats of the 53 it contested.
JDU insiders said the decision to offer support was “taken” in Patna after a meeting between the newly-elected MLAs, general secretary Afaque Ahmed Khan, who is in charge of Northeast, and the party leadership including Nitish Kumar.
The newly-elected MLAs were flown to Patna on Friday.
While offering its support, the JDU also appealed to the BJP to “honour the mandate reposed” in the party and “fulfil” the hopes and aspirations of the people of Manipur.
The JDU on Saturday announced that the MLAs unanimously elected Khumukcham Joykisan Singh as legislature party leader, Ngursanglur Sanate as deputy leader and Mohd Abdul Nasir as the chief whip in presence of Khan.
Khan was one of the key contributors to the party’s success. He has been camping in Imphal since January.
JDU, which did not contest in 2017, secured 10.77 per cent of the vote share, the BJP secured 37.83 per cent, NPP 17.29 per cent, Congress 16.83 per cent, NPF 8.09 per cent and LJP 0.03 per cent.
JD (U) had mostly fielded high-profile “defectors” from the BJP, Congress and National People’s Party (NPP), including four sitting MLAs. Its success badly hit the Congress.
The JD(U) wooed voters by showcasing the Bihar model of governance to the voters including empowerment of women through reservation in local bodies, government jobs and in professional colleges.
It has also committed itself to getting the contentious Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 repealed, ensuring the territorial integrity of Manipur, holding of the autonomous district polls within six months, peace and stability, drinking water and regular power supply.
