In a bold political move, a delegation from the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) met with the Governor of Manipur on Tuesday, raising five pointed constitutional questions regarding the functioning and legitimacy of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly.
The delegation, led by senior Congress leaders, submitted a memorandum expressing concern over what they termed as a “breakdown of constitutional governance” in the state. They alleged that the current assembly — marked by irregular sessions, lack of legislative business, and administrative collapse — has strayed far from the framework laid down in the Constitution.
The Five Questions Put Forth:
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Is the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly functioning in accordance with Article 174 of the Constitution, which mandates regular sittings of the House within six months?
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Can a government that fails to convene proper assembly sessions retain constitutional legitimacy without testing its majority on the floor?
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Does the Governor not have a constitutional duty to ensure that a functioning government is in place, especially in the face of visible administrative paralysis?
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What is the legal and constitutional status of an assembly that has not passed a single bill or debated public issues for months, amidst ongoing unrest and humanitarian crises?
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In the absence of a stable and responsive government, does the Governor not have the obligation to recommend President’s Rule under Article 356?
Speaking to the press after the meeting, an MPCC spokesperson said:
“This is not about party politics. This is about the Constitution being ignored while the people of Manipur suffer. We’ve asked the Governor to uphold his oath and act.”
Background
Manipur has been reeling under ethnic conflict, displacement, and law-and-order issues for over a year. Despite the scale of the crisis, the Assembly has met only sporadically, with no major policy debates or legislative actions. The Congress, along with several civil society groups, has repeatedly criticized the state leadership for “governing through silence.”
The Governor is yet to issue a formal response to the MPCC’s memorandum.
