President’s Rule Imposed in Manipur After CM Biren Singh’s Resignation, Assembly Under Suspended Animation

President’s Rule has been imposed in Manipur, four days after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh's resignation, triggering a political crisis compounded by ongoing ethnic violence that has plagued the state for the past two years. The decision comes after the failure of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership to reach a consensus on a successor for Singh.

A statement issued by the office of President Droupadi Murmu confirmed the decision. The proclamation under Article 356 of the Constitution was issued after receiving a report from Governor Ajay Bhalla. The statement said that President Murmu was “satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the Government of that State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of India.”

As a result, the Manipur Legislative Assembly has been placed under suspended animation, though it has not been dissolved. The tenure of the State Assembly is set to last until 2027. All administrative and security-related decisions will now be managed by Governor Bhalla.

The political turmoil in the state worsened after the BJP could not agree on a new Chief Ministerial candidate following Singh’s resignation. Singh’s decision to step down came after growing dissidence within his party and the looming threat of a no-confidence motion from the opposition Congress. The delay in reconvening the assembly further raised concerns about a constitutional crisis, with the deadline to convene the legislature passing on February 13, 2025. According to Article 174(1) of the Constitution, state assemblies must be convened no later than six months after their last sitting. The Manipur Assembly had last met on August 12, 2024.

The imposition of President's Rule comes amid heightened tensions in the state, which has been plagued by ethnic violence since May 3, 2023, between the tribal Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities. The violence has resulted in the deaths of over 250 people and the displacement of around 60,000 individuals. Security in the state has been intensified to prevent any potential breakdown in law and order.

Congress, which had been calling for the imposition of President’s Rule for over 20 months, criticised the Union government for waiting until the situation had worsened. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, “This has come after what the Supreme Court called ‘the absolute breakdown of constitutional machinery in the State,’ which saw the killing of over 300 people and displacement of over 60,000 men, women, and children since May 3, 2023.” He added, “This has come after the fabric of Manipur’s society has been allowed to be severely damaged, if not totally destroyed. The Union Home Minister [Amit Shah] has clearly failed to manage Manipur.”

On the other hand, some groups, such as the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), welcomed the imposition of President’s Rule over the idea of a new Chief Minister. ITLF leader Ginza Vualzong stated, “With the PR, I believe the groundwork to end violence will begin, which will pave the way for a conducive environment for political dialogue.”

However, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] has called for the immediate revocation of President’s Rule and the holding of fresh elections. CPI(M) State committee secretary Ksh Shanta remarked, “The CPI(M) and all aligned parties will stand for Manipur’s territorial integrity during President’s Rule and any attempt to break the State will not be allowed.”​