FRIDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2025 www.thestatesman.com SINCE 1818 Pages 12 |` 5.00 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR 'SEEK PERMISSION BEFORE MEETING SHINDE SENA LEADERS' ‘MANIPUR GOVERNOR VIOLATING ARTICLE 174’ P5 P8 President’s Rule imposed in Manipur After the failure of BJP legislators to reach consensus on a new CM for the state ABHIJIT DEB IMPHAL, 13 FEBRUARY M anipur was brought under President’s Rule on Thursday five days after the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who stepped down amid internal dissent within the state BJP unit and mounting pressure from the Opposition Congress. The state Legislative Assembly has been placed under suspended animation. The Centre’s decision came after the ruling BJP party failed to reach a consensus on a new leader, plunging the violence-hit state into political uncertainty. A communiqué from the Rashtrapati Bhavan stated that President Droupadi Murmu, after reviewing the Governor’s report and other inputs, was convinced that “a situation has arisen in which the Government of that State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of India.” Biren Singh, a former footballer-turned-politician and two-term BJP Chief Min- ister, resigned on Sunday after meeting with the party’s central leadership in Delhi. His departure followed growing dissent within the state BJP, where a faction of MLAs had been calling for his replacement over governance issues and handling of the ongoing ethnic conflict between Meitei and Kuki communities. Despite efforts by BJP’s North-East in-charge Sambit Patra, who has been in Imphal negotiating with party MLAs, no consensus could be reached on a new Chief Minister. Initially, sources suggested a breakthrough on Tuesday, but differences among factions persisted, forcing the Centre to impose President’s Rule to prevent further instability. The political crisis in Manipur is unfolding against the backdrop of prolonged ethnic violence that erupted in May 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki communities. Over 250 people have been killed, and thousands displaced, as armed clashes, arson, and targeted attacks have rocked the state. Despite heavy deployment of central security forces, sporadic violence has continued, worsening the humanitarian situation. The crisis has also seen the involvement of armed militant groups , with security forces launching crackdowns on these outfits. The Congress, sensing an opportunity amid BJP’s internal strife, had been preparing to move a no-confidence motion against the Biren Singh government. The opposition accused the BJP of mishandling the ethnic conflict and failing to restore normality. Mr Singh’s resignation was seen as a preemptive move to avoid a political embarrassment in the state assembly. However, the BJP's inability to decide on a new leader has exposed deep divisions within the party. The Centre’s decision to impose President’s Rule suggests a temporary pause as it seeks to resolve internal conflicts and chart a way forward. (Representational image) PM discusses counter-terrorism with Tulsi Gabbard ahead of talks with Trump NIKHIL VYAS NEW DELHI, 13 FEBRUARY Ahead of his crucial talks with President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a key meeting with US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in Washington with their discussions focusing on enhancing intelligence cooperation in counter-terrorism. The meeting was held just hours after Ms Gabbard was sworn in as US Director of National Intelligence at a swearing-in ceremony in the White House. After the meeting which took place late Wednesday night, PM Modi in a post on X said: “Met USA’s Director of National Intelligence, @TulsiGabbard in Washington DC. Congratulated her on her confirmation. Discussed various aspects of the IndiaUSA friendship, of which she’s always been a strong votary." The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said: “PM @narendramodi met with USA’s Director of National Intelligence, @TulsiGabbard in Washington DC. They discussed various aspects of the India-USA friendship." The Prime Minister fondly recalled his earlier interactions with Ms Gabbard. “The discussions touched on enhancing bilateral intelligence cooperation, particularly in counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, emerging threats, and strategic intelligence sharing. They also exchanged views on regional and global developments of mutual interest, reaffirming their commitment to a secure, stable, and rules-based international order,” the PMO said. All eyes are on the Prime Minister's meeting with President Donald Trump which will take place late tonight. The two leaders are expected to discuss a whole range of bilateral issues and global developments. After the bilateral meeting with President Trump at the White House, both leaders will deliver a joint press statement followed by a dinner hosted by the US leader late tonight. Mr Modi is expected to meet US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Indian origin entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy during his twoday visit to the United States. Earlier, Mr Modi arrived in the USA for a two-day visit at the invitation of US President Donald Trump. India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, and other officials welcomed him at the airport. This is PM Modi's first visit to the United States after Donald Trump assumed office for the second term. PM Modi later arrived at Blair House and greeted members of the Indian diaspora, who had gathered there to welcome him. People chanted “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Modi Modi” as they welcomed him at the Blair House. “A warm reception in the winter chill. Despite the cold weather, the Indian diaspora in Washington DC has welcomed me with a very special welcome. My gratitude to them,” Mr Modi posted on X. ‘Jurisdiction over impeachment of Allahabad HC judge lies with Parliament and President’ STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 13 FEBRUARY Weighing in on the move by Opposition MPs seeking the impeachment of Allahabad High Court judge Justice Shekhar Yadav for his controversial remarks at an event organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday said that only Parliament has the jurisdiction to remove a high court judge. Issuing a suo motu statement in the Rajya Sabha, the Vice President said: “I am seized of an undated notice for motion received on 13 December 2024, bearing 55 purported signatures of the members of the Rajya Sabha seeking removal from office of Justice Shekhar Yadav of the Allahabad High Court under Article 124(4) of the Constitution.” “The jurisdiction over the stated subject matter constitutionally lies in exclusivity with the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and eventually with the Parliament and the President,” he said. “It is expedient that the Secretary General of the Rajya Sabha share this information with the Secretary General of the Supreme Court of India,” he said. In December last year, 55 Opposition MPs submitted an impeachment motion in the Rajya Sabha, calling for the removal of Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav of the Allahabad High Court following his controversial comments at an event organised by the VHP, where he advocated that the “will of the majority” should govern the country. The motion, initiated by Independent MP Kapil Sibal, has been signed by several prominent figures, including Congress leaders P Chidambaram, Digvijaya Singh, Jairam Ramesh, Vivek Tankha, and Randeep Singh Surjewala; AAP’s Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha; TMC’s Saket Gokhale and Sagarika Ghose; RJD’s Manoj Kumar Jha; SP’s Javed Ali Khan; CPI(M)’s John Brittas; and CPI’s Sandosh Kumar. In the petition, the MPs alleged that Justice Yadav had engaged in hate speech and incitement to communal disharmony in violation of the Constitution, that he targeted minorities and displayed bias and prejudice against them; and entered into “public debate or expressed his views in public on political matters relating to Uniform Civil Code in violation of the Restatement of Values of Judicial Life – 1997”. X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875
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