New Delhi: N Biren Singh on Sunday stepped down as chief minister of Manipur after he failed to bring peace in the strife-torn state, where the ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities has persisted since May 2023. The BJP leadership is now tasked with selecting a leader who can take the reins of a deeply divided Manipur.
The Centre is also optimistic that Kuki leaders will now be more open to peace negotiations. The deadlock in talks was largely due to their refusal to engage while Singh was still the CM.
Who will replace Biren Singh?
Among the frontrunners for the chief ministerial post is state’s rural development and panchayati raj minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh. He is a former speaker of the Manipur legislative assembly and also enjoys the backing of the RSS. Khemchand has been a vocal critic of Biren’s handling of the crisis. His summons to the national capital has further fueled the speculation of him given the charge of the state.
T Biswajit Singh, a senior cabinet minister is another strong contender. He was one of the favourites after the BJP won its second consecutive term in 2022. Current state assembly speaker Th Satyabrata Singh is another strong contender for the post.
While no official decision has been made, BJP’s Manipur unit president Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi has remained tight-lipped. The final call is expected to come from the BJP leadership in New Delhi.
Why was Biren Singh disliked by both sides?
Biren Singh’s tenure as chief minister saw mounting criticism from all quarters. While he initially positioned himself as a strong leader capable of handling the ethnic crisis, his approach only deepened the divide between the Meiteis and Kukis. While on one hand, the Kukis accused his administration of being biased against them, on the other, a faction of the Meitei population also grew disillusioned with Singh.
His dwindling support within his own party was evident when 19 BJP MLAs boycotted a key meeting convened by him last year.
What’s next for Manipur?
With assembly elections due in February 2027, the Centre is considering all political alternatives to stabilise Manipur. While BJP remains keen on forming an alternative government under a new leader, President’s Rule remains a last-resort option if no viable leadership emerges.
Former home secretary Ajay Bhalla, who was recently appointed as the governor of Manipur, is expected to play a crucial role in overseeing the transition. The Centre believes that even if President’s Rule is imposed, it could create a neutral setting for negotiations between the Meitei and Kuki communities.
Meanwhile, the opposition has taken credit for Singh’s resignation. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claimed that the Congress was set to move a no-confidence motion against Singh’s government and that he resigned in anticipation of it. He also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not visiting Manipur in the past 20 months.
