Hours After N Biren Singh Resignation, Governor orders upcoming Manipur Assembly session 'null and void'; No Scope For Immediate Floor Test

"In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 174 of the Constitution of India, I, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Governor of Manipur, hereby order that the previous directive to summon the 7th session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, which has yet to commence, is hereby declared null and void with immediate effect," the notice read

Singh’s resignation came at a time when his leadership had come under challenge from his own dissenting BJP MLAs indicative for a rebel and also amidst a possible floor test following a no confidence motion the opposition Congress had proposed to move on Tuesday. Biren Singh met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president J P Nadda on Sunday morning before finally putting down his papers. Manipur has been in crossroads for close to two years following the violence that began on 3rd May 2023 and continued for several months, claiming more than 200 lives and leaving more than 70,000 displaced.



While BJP has the numbers to claim majority even after the withdrawal of support from ally Conrad Sangma’s NPP, yet there was looming fear of at least 12 BJP MLAs who are not in favour of Singh’s leadership, disregard any party whip if there comes a moment of floor test. With the assembly session now being called off, the possibility of floor test has become null.


Adding to the political turmoil, the Supreme Court on Monday (February 3) sought the production of the report of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory on the examination of certain audio tapes which allegedly recorded statements by Biren Singh allegedly suggesting his involvement in the State's ethnic violence. Purported audio tapes got leaked indicating endorsement and encouragement of violence against one particular community in Manipur. Non-profit private forensic laboratory Truth Labs has confirmed that 93 per cent of the audio tapes matched Singh's voice.