JD(U) Manipur Chief Withdraws Support to N Biren Singh Govt; Party Expells Him

The Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) withdrew its support for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in Manipur on Wednesday. However, the JD(U) took action against its Manipur State president, removing him for "indiscipline," and reaffirmed its commitment to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The party declared that it would continue its alliance with the BJP government in Manipur.

Md Abdul Nasir, the sole JD(U) legislator representing Jiribam Assembly constituency, was the only member from the party in the state assembly. His resignation was part of a broader political shift, coming two months after the National People’s Party (NPP) pulled out of the coalition with its six legislators.

The JD(U)'s Manipur unit wrote to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, formally stating that it no longer supported the BJP-led government in the state. The letter also declared that the JD(U)'s lone MLA, Md Abdul Nasir, should be considered part of the opposition. The JD(U) had initially secured six seats in the 2022 Assembly elections, though five of its MLAs later joined the BJP.

Reacting to the situation, JD(U) national spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad dismissed the claims about the party’s withdrawal of support as "misleading and baseless." In a video message, Prasad clarified, “The president of the Manipur unit of the party has been relieved of his post. We have supported the NDA and our support to the NDA government in Manipur will continue even in future.” He added that the letter to the Governor was issued without consultation with the party's central leadership, calling it an act of “blatant indiscipline.” Prasad further emphasised, “We are with the NDA and the State unit will continue to serve the people of Manipur towards the development of the State.”

Despite the JD(U)'s withdrawal, the BJP remains in a stable position with 37 MLAs in the 60-member House, though seven of its members, from the Kuki-Zo community, have distanced themselves amid ongoing ethnic tensions since May 2023. The BJP also continues to receive support from the Naga People’s Front, which holds four seats.

The political developments have drawn criticism from the opposition. Congress took a jab at the JD(U)’s shifting stance. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh pointed out the contradictions, and said, “Today, JD(U) withdrew support to the BJP Government in Manipur. Yesterday, JD(U) opposed the new UGC Rules announced by the Modi Government to control top appointments to all universities. Is this heralding political climate change?”​​