New Delhi: Manipur is likely headed for President’s rule as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) grapples with a leadership crisis following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. Two days after Singh stepped down, the party has yet to announce a successor, prompting speculation about the imposition of central control, CNN News18 reported.
Sambit Patra, BJP’s northeast in-charge, has been in Imphal since Singh’s resignation, attempting to manage the situation. On Tuesday, he met with Governor Anusuiya Uikey to discuss the political developments. Singh’s resignation comes amid reports of internal dissent within the BJP and the looming threat of a no-confidence motion by the Congress, raising concerns about the stability of the state government.
The backdrop to this political turmoil is the continuing ethnic violence that has plagued Manipur since May 2023, claiming over 250 lives and displacing thousands. This ongoing crisis adds another layer of complexity to the leadership vacuum created by Singh’s resignation.
If President’s rule is imposed under Article 356 of the Constitution, the state government’s functions will be transferred to the central government, and the state legislature’s functions will be assumed by Parliament. The High Court’s operations will remain unaffected. This constitutional provision allows for central intervention when a state government is unable to function according to constitutional provisions.
While the official reason for Singh’s resignation remains unclear, several factors appear to have contributed to his decision. Dissidence within the BJP, combined with the potential no-confidence motion, likely played a significant role. Singh resigned two years after the outbreak of ethnic violence in the region.
Manipur BJP chief A Sharda Devi attempted to frame Singh’s resignation positively, emphasising his commitment to the state’s welfare and integrity. However, this statement does little to address the underlying political instability and the potential consequences for the people of Manipur.
