At least 10 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from Manipur, representing the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), met Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan in Imphal on Wednesday and claimed the support of 44 MLAs for the formation of a popular government. The state has been under President’s Rule since February 13, 2025, following a prolonged conflict leading to political crisis and the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. The delegation, comprising 10 MLAs—including eight from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), one from the National People’s Party (NPP), and one independent—presented a claim of support from 44 MLAs, signalling a strong push to end the central administration and revive democratic governance in the strife-torn state.
Manipur has been grappling with violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023, a conflict that has claimed over 200 lives and displaced more than seventy thousand. The violence erupted after tensions over the Meitei demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, opposed by the Kuki-Zo community, who feared it would dilute their affirmative action benefits. The unrest, marked by intermittent clashes and a breakdown in law and order, severely destabilised the state, drawing sharp criticism of the BJP-led government under N. Biren Singh. The former Chief Minister faced accusations of complicity, which he denied, but mounting dissent within his party and from coalition partners like the NPP and Janata Dal (United) culminated in his resignation on February 9, 2025.
Despite the BJP holding a majority with 37 out of 60 seats in the Manipur Assembly, alongside allies NPP (seven MLAs) and Naga People’s Front (NPF, six MLAs), the party failed to reach a consensus on Singh’s successor. Internal rifts, particularly between Meitei and Kuki-Zo legislators, and the withdrawal of support by some allies in late 2024, led to a leadership vacuum. The Centre imposed President’s Rule on February 13, placing the assembly in suspended animation, as the BJP struggled to resolve the deadlock. Governor Bhalla, appointed in January 2025, has since overseen the state’s administration, with security forces on high alert to curb violence. The President’s Rule was confirmed and by both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in April this year.
The MLAs’ in their meeting with the Governor reflected a sense of urgency to restore a popular government to address Manipur’s complex challenges. In their appeal, the legislators, led by figures like Lourembam Rameshwar Meitei (BJP), emphasised that a democratically elected government is essential for restoring peace and normalcy. They assured full commitment to tackling the ethnic divide and rebuilding trust among communities. However, challenges remain, as Kuki-Zo MLAs have previously demanded a separate administration and constitutional safeguards, while Meitei groups oppose any move perceived to fragment the state. The letter given to the governor was devoid of a single MLA from the Kuki-Zo community. There are 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs including seven belonging to BJP but none extended support to the NDA’s appeal to the Governor.
“We went and gave the opinion of 44 MLAs – given the way things have gone and the pressure from the public, we expressed to the Governor that it’s the right time to install a popular government. President’s Rule is an emergency move, and it should be the last option. If the new popular government fails, you can reimpose President’s Rule again in full throttle,” said Thockchom Radheshyam Singh, one of the 10 MLAs, as reported by ‘The Indian Express’. The call for a new government comes as Manipur approaches a critical juncture, with the assembly’s tenure lasting until 2027. The BJP’s central leadership now faces the task of navigating factionalism and ethnic sensitivities to form a stable government.
