BJP-Samata stand-off appears to be resolved for now

New Delhi, May 22: THE problem between BJP and Samata Party on Manipur developments appeared to have been resolved for the present with both sides on Tuesday agreeing to a “status quo” on a new government formation in the state and Samata Party ruling out withdrawal from Vajpayee ministry.

“We all have a stake in this government. How can it (Manipur development) affect the government at the Centre? It cannot,” George Fernandes told reporters here after his nearly two-hour luncheon meeting with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.
The meeting came a day after Samata party-led government lost a confidence vote in Manipur Assembly with BJP MLAs voting against the motion.

Asked whether BJP was going ahead with the formation of a new government in Manipur, Mr Fernandes said: “I understand the status quo exists.”

“There will be more meetings in order to reach a conclusion and resolve the problem that we are at present facing,” he said.
Mr Fernandes said leaders from Manipur will also be present at the meeting of the two sides at the central level on May 28, a point on which BJP general secretary Narendra Modi agreed.

Mr Modi said no BJP MLA would stake claim to form a new government in Manipur and even after May 28 both the sides would follow a joint strategy. (PTI)