Imphal, June 15: Amidst the continuing boycott of Assembly Speaker TN Haokip and terming the prolonged impasse between the opposition and the speaker as a serious crisis of Parliamentary democracy, Opposition DPA leaders urged the Governor Arvind Dave to intervene and solve the issue.

DPA leader RK Dorendra of the BJP, Federal party of Manipur president Dr L Chandramani, DPA deputy leader M Nilachandra and O Joy of the MPP called on the Governor at Raj Bhavan at around 10.30 am today.

Soon after the arrival of Speaker TN Haokip to preside the budget session at about 11 am the Opposition members trickled out from the House one by one to continue its boycott agitation.

The boycott will continue, iterated some Opposition members.

Speaking to media-persons at the Opposition lobby after today's session, MLA O Joy said the Governor has been apprised to bring an amicable end to the impasse as the ongoing tussle between the Speaker and the Opposition members has posed a serious threat to parliamentary democracy.

As the Governor demanded for a detailed report on the matter, hectic efforts are on to prepare the report, informed Joy while adding that as the Governor is the head and custodian of the Legislature and Constitution in the Parliamentary system of democracy Arvind Dave was urged to find an early solution.

Reiterating that the Assembly is a sacred and esteemed institution, Joy accused the Speaker of forcing the Opposition members to boycott the session on two earlier occasions as well as the current one.

The Speaker is undermining democratic principles, he added.

Questioning the intention of the Speaker in rejecting the two no confidence motions without furnishing the proceedings, which has hampered the DPA plans to approach the Court of law against the Speaker, Joy also accused the SPF Government of shielding TN Haokip as if he is unimpeachable or untouchable.

Even though the opposition has offered five conditions like withdrawal of the no confidence motion before discussion through inclusion in the list of business the Govt are reluctant to any alternative, charged the seasoned politician.

He opined that Govt need to clarify on reluctance to discuss on the motion, debate on the rejection or failure to justify for the rejection.

Reacting to the reported remark of CM O Ibobi to walkout of the Opposition members from house during the CM's deliberation on the Governor's address, Joy attributed the walkout to Opposition members' aspiration of saving democratic principles from the clutches of the ruling SPF and the Speaker.

Asserting that Opposition members are still endeavor to play their role positively by adequately highlighting public grievances, Joy assured that DPA would never compromise public interest when the opportunity arrives.

On the Governor's address, he said it is regrettable that the Government takes pride in applauding whatever it has prepared without the consent or argument of Opposition members and clearly indicates the robust attitude of the ruling SPF.

Moreover, no substantial changes could be witnessed in the text, he added.

FPM MLA I Hemochandra said the CM's remarks are irresponsible as including himself (Hemochandra) and three other opposition members had demanded amendment to the Governor's address.

Comment