Imphal, February 16: The Union defence minister George Fernandez, has blamed the premature toppling of the Samata Party led government in Manipur for creating political instability in the state.

The Union minister, in Manipur to campaign for his party for the second phase of the Assembly elections, made the statement while addressing a public meeting at the Tamil Sangam ground at the border town of Moreh.

The former chief minister Radhabinod Koijam, Samata Party MP Dr Bijoya, and the Samata Party candidate for Tengnoupal A/c DK Korungthang, were also present at the meeting.

Addressing the meeting Fernandes said the short-lived Samata led government had during its tenure done its utmost for the development of the state, and appealed to the public to support the Samata Party in the elections to ensure that it got a majority.

He also maintained that the election, which required mush unnecessary expenditure, had been made inevitable by the premature toppling of the Samata Party led government.

Fernandes, who arrived from Imphal by road, said that he found the journey difficult because of the bad condition of the roads, and further appealed to the public to work unitedly for development by bringing back the Samata Party in government.