Imphal: The Centre is set to come under renewed pressure from its own party MLAs in Manipur to not prolong the President’s Rule in the state, and install a popular government at the earliest, ThePrint has learnt.
Two factions within the state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)—one backing caretaker CM N. Biren Singh and the other led by Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, who opposes him—are exploring the option of breaking away and forming their own regional parties if the ongoing political deadlock remains unresolved, three BJP leaders from the state told ThePrint.
While the faction supporting Biren has two CM aspirants—Govindas Konthoujam and Thongam Biswajit Singh, both ministers in the government before Biren resigned on 9 February, and claim to have support of 21-22 MLAs, the other group, headed by Satyabrata Singh, also has three MLAs including him in the CM race. The other two are Y. Khemchand Singh and Thokchom Radheshyam Singh, who too were ministers in the Biren government.
One of the leaders told ThePrint that BJP MLAs are aware of the party’s declining popularity in the state due to the Biren Singh government’s handling of the ongoing ethnic violence, which began on May 3, 2023, and has continued for 22 months. The conflict between the non-tribal Meiteis, who are predominantly Hindu, and the tribal Kuki-Zo community, mostly Christian, has resulted in 250 deaths and the internal displacement of approximately 60,000 people.
The MLAs, the leader said, fear they might not win the assembly election due in the state in early 2027.
Also read: Kuki groups say President’s Rule in Manipur correct but not solution, reiterate call for separate admin
‘Exploring possibility of floating regional party’
The option to float a regional party was discussed at a meeting called by Biren at his residence Monday evening, one of the leaders said. Besides the BJP MLAs loyal to Biren, the meeting was attended by some of the MLAs from other parties including National People’s Party (NPP), a former BJP ally in the state.
“Biren tried to convince the MLAs to form a regional party and fight the election. He said that his group has the support of a sizable number of MLAs and they can easily win the election,” a BJP MLA, who wished to not be named, said.
The leader added that Biren advised the MLAs to approach state BJP President A. Sharda Devi and urge her to convey to the central leadership the need to dissolve the assembly and call for fresh elections.
ThePrint reached both Biren Singh and Sharda Devi via calls multiple times. This report will be updated if and when a response is received.
However, a section of MLAs present in the meeting were opposed to the idea.
“They said there is public anger against all MLAs irrespective of the party they belong to. A move like this will increase the public anger further,” a second BJP MLA said. “The MLAs present in the meeting then decided that they should reach out to the rebel group headed by Speaker Satyabrata and convince them that all of them should go together to BJP state president and tell her that they are united. They should propose to her to convey to the central leadership to install a popular government at the earliest.”
The MLA, who was present in the meeting, said, “A majority of the MLAs are against a prolonged President’s Rule. Since the BJP continues to have a majority in Manipur assembly, it was felt that the best option is to chose a new CM alongwith the council of ministers. But for that to happen, all of us have to be united.”
After the meeting Monday evening, an MLA from the Biren camp reportedly met Speaker Satyabrata Tuesday with the proposal, a third BJP leader from the anti-Biren group told ThePrint. However, it remains unclear whether the rebel faction has accepted the proposal.
The leader said that even the rebel group is exploring the option of splitting from BJP and floating a new party, if there is a delay in finalising a new CM.
“The public anger is growing against the BJP. Our constituents are telling us daily that they will not vote for us if we stay with the party. We have conveyed this to the central leadership on multiple occasions,” the leader said, adding, “In such a scenario, the only option left for us is to break away and form a new party, if the political impasse is not resolved.
The rebel group claims they have the support of 26-27 MLAs including from other parties.
ThePrint reached Satyabrata Singh via calls to his mobile phone. This report will be updated if and when a response is received.
The 60-member Manipur Assembly currently has 59 MLAs following the death of NPP legislator N. Kayisii last month. The BJP holds 32 seats, including seven Kuki-Zo MLAs. Additionally, five Janata Dal (United) MLAs joined the BJP after the 2022 elections, bringing the party’s effective strength to 37.
Of the remaining MLAs, five are from NPF, a BJP ally. Six (after Kayisii’s death) from Conrad Sangma’s NPP that had earlier supported the Biren government. In November 2024, the NPP MLAs withdrew their support. Another former BJP ally, the Kuki People’s Alliance, has two MLAs. Besides, there are three Independent MLAs, five from Congress and one from Janata Dal (United).
Despite massive opposition and demand for his resignation, Biren had continued at the helm as CM. It was finally a threat from BJP MLAs to back the Opposition Congress’s no-confidence motion in the now cancelled state assembly—potentially toppling their own government—that pushed the BJP central leadership to demand Biren’s resignation. He stepped down on 9 February and four days later, President’s Rule was imposed in the state.
(Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri)
Also read: President’s Rule in Manipur nettles both Meiteis & Kukis, civil society organisations harden stand
