Manipur Congress demands removal of political appointees, calls out ‘unfair practices’ under President’s Rule

Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) urged the governor of Manipur Ajay Kumar Bhalla to remove all the political posts including advocate general of the Manipur High Court.

Addressing to media during the press conference held today at Congress Bhavan, vice-chairman of Legal (MPCC), Rabi Khan said that Manipur has imposed President’s Rule since February 13, 2025, yet most of the political posts are still continuing. 

With this regard memorandum was submitted governor of Manipur today for their removal and new appointment of all such posts. 

He continued and said that the BJP-led government of Manipur lasted till February 9, 2025, and President’s Rule was imposed from February 13, 2025. However, most of the political appointments including statutory bodies like commissions/boards/corporations/undertakings of the government of Manipur made during the BJP-led government are still active. The posts are continuing due to non-resignation/non-removal from office particularly the advocate general of High Court of Manipur. 

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Rabi also stated that the post of the Advocate General of a State is appointed under Article 165 of the Constitution of India and shall hold the office at the pleasure of the Governor but he should resign when the proper Government/Chief Minister of the State is resigned. 

But in the present situation, if the Advocate General who was appointed during the pleasure of the Ex-Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh is still continued without any fresh order of appointment, it may be against the principle of natural justice and against the doctrine of pleasure.

He also alleged that from a reliable source, some of the appointments including the Chairman of the Manipur State Minorities Commission made by the State Government date back even without complying the Section 3(2) of the Manipur State Minorities Commission Act, 2010 which clearly stated as "Chairperson and two members to be nominated by the State Government from amongst persons of eminence, ability and integrity and such persons shall be from amongst the notified minority communities"

While urging to remove and appoint all such political posts, he said that during the President’s Rule, if the State Government is not controlled under the governor the earlier unfair/illegal practice of appointment and working the political post may be continued.