New Delhi: Manipur stares at President’s Rule as BJP has not been able to pick a new face to lead the government there after the resignation of Biren Singh.
According to sources, President’s rule could be imposed in the violence-stricken northeastern state of Manipur if there is a delay in finding the successor of Biren Singh.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader N Biren Singh resigned as the chief minister of Manipur on Sunday, February 9, almost two years after violence aggravated in the valley between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.
Notably, Biren Singh resigned amid reports that BJP MLAs might support a no-confidence motion to be brought in the state assembly by the Congress.
On Tuesday, BJP Northeast in-charge Sambit Patra and state party president A Sharda Devi called on Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan in Imphal amid a leadership crisis.
The meeting with the governor lasted for around half an hour.
More than 250 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023.
All eyes are now on the political developments in Manipur after Chief Minister Biren Singh resigned from the post amid ongoing ethnic violence in the state.
The Manipur governor accepted the resignation of Biren Singh along with his council of ministers, but requested that he continue in office until alternative arrangements are made.
Among the frontrunners are former assembly speaker Yumnam Khemchand Singh, senior cabinet minister Biswajit Singh, current assembly speaker T Satyabrata Singh.
Yumnam Khemchand Singh is the rural development and panchayati raj minister. He was the speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly. According to the Times of India, RSS-backed Khemchand has been vocal against Biren’s handling of the ethnic crisis that erupted in May 2023.
He was also among 19 BJP legislators who skipped a key meeting convened by the former CM last year.
Khemchand Singh on Monday stated that all the members will accept the decision of the party’s high command.
Biswajit Singh is the minister for power, forest, environment and climate change, agriculture, science & technology in Manipur. His name has been in the mix for the top post since 2022. He was considered an alternative to Biren when the BJP won its second consecutive term in Manipur in 2022.
T Satyabrata Singh is the current assembly speaker in Manipur. He was also reportedly called to New Delhi for consultations and is considered as a possible pick.
