Manipur CM should resign for failure to end blockade: Javadekar

Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar on Sunday demanded resignation of Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh for his failure to end the ongoing economic blockade which has affected availability of essential commodities in the region.

Javadekar was interacting with the media at the local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office during his visit here to hold discussions for short-listing candidates for the ensuing assembly elections.

Manipur will elect a new 60-member state assembly in two-phased polls on March 4 and 8.

The BJP leader said: “The Constitution clearly says that the central government can’t do anything about law and order, since it is a state subject. Still we are extending help to him by despatching 40 companies of paramilitary forces.

“Instead of using them in maintaining law and order along the highways, the security personnel have been kept in the barracks. Since he has failed to defuse the crisis, he should resign. In any case, he will be ousted this time, but people see no reason to wait until the elections.”