IMPHAL, Nov 9 - The Congress party in Manipur has said that the BJP-led coalition Government in the State is unwilling to convene a special session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly as it cannot face the Opposition.
The Manipur Government has lately been under pressure to convene a special State Assembly session to adopt a fresh resolution on protection of the State territory on the one hand, and against any �ethnic-based administrative arrangement� on the other.
Despite the mounting pressure from the Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) and Opposition parties, the N Biren Singh-led Government has not taken any decision to convene a special Assembly session, said the State Congress.
Addressing a press conference at his official residence in Bapupara here, Opposition leader and former Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh asked the Manipur Government to cite the reasons behind its refusal to convene a special session at this �crucial juncture�.
Congress legislators, including CWC member Gaikhangam, was present during the press conference.
The former three-time Chief Minister stated that this was not the time for differences among political parties.
�All the political parties, including the ruling and the Opposition, should stand united and firm for safeguarding the geographical boundary of the State,� Ibobi Singh asserted. �There is no meaning of being in politics if we cannot stand united for safeguarding the territorial integrity of Manipur,� he maintained.
The Opposition leader said that there must be some reasons behind the Centre sending a large number of security personnel to the State.
He reiterated that the Congress has a clear stand on protecting the geographical boundary of the State at any cost and will oppose any plan from any quarters to have a territorial council based on ethnic lines �that will affect the integrity of the State in future�.
The former Chief Minister called upon all political parties and civil society organisations to stand united for safeguarding the integrity of Manipur.
Manipur has been witness to a mass movement against the backdrop of the Naga peace talks and their possible fallout on the State.