Minister L Jayantakumar Singh In BJP's Month-Old Government In Manipur Resigns Over 'Interference'

Guwahati: Within a month of taking charge as Manipur Chief Minister, N Biren Singh and his BJP-led coalition government is facing its first spell of dissidence with state's Health Minister L Jayantakumar Singh resigning from his post alleging "interfere" by "many" in his ministry. In his resignation letter, widely circulated on internet over the last two day, Mr Singh has alleged interference in his authority as a minister. "I have been trying to build a vision to the portfolios assigned to me. But there has been many interference to my authority and image as a minister," Mr Jayantakumar wrote in the resignation letter.  

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh - who is in Bhubaneswar for the BJP National Executive -- is yet to accept the minister's resignation.

The state government, Mr Singh's and his party - the National Peoples' Party (NPP) - had been denying the reports of resignation for the last two days but now the minister has admitted that he has resigned and is waiting for Chief Minister Biren Singh's response.

The Chief Minister, responding to NDTV on WhatsApp messaging app, denied any information about his minister's resignation. "I don't have any information as of now. May be a game of political rival," he said.

BJP spokesperson and cabinet minister Biswajit Singh said the issue was an "internal matter" of the coalition. He, however, denied any problems for the government.

Mr Jayantakumar did attend a government event on Saturday as the Health Minister.

A close aide of Jayantakumar, while speaking to NDTV over phone from Imphal, indicated that the minister was not happy after taking over as minister as the BJP allegedly tried to keep control over all department, even those headed by ministers from coalition partners.

Mr Jayantakumar reportedly became upset after the Director of Health Services, Manipur and State Mission Director, National Health Mission Dr Okram Ibomcha Singh, was placed under suspension.  Sources say the health minister was not taken into confidence before taking the decision.

BJP-led coalition government in Manipur has the support of four NPP MLAs including Mr Jayantakumar - all four of them are ministers including Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar Singh.

NPP leadership has been tight lipped over Mr Jayanatkumar's resignation, BJP sources have said that a damage control exercise has already begun.