Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned from his post on Sunday amid ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur that has lasted for the last two years, as well as growing discontent among party MLAs.
He submitted his resignation to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan in Imphal. Biren Singh, who led the BJP government in the state, stepped down amid current political developments. His resignation followed months of unrest and internal deliberations within the party.
Meeting with Amit Shah and JP Nadda
N Biren Singh had a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda on Sunday for more than an hour and a half. The meeting took place at Home Minister Amit Shah’s residence in Delhi. After leaving the Home Minister’s residence, Biren Singh returned directly to Imphal.
Upon reaching Imphal, Biren Singh requested a meeting with Governor Ajay Bhalla, who granted him an appointment at 6.15 pm. Biren Singh then met Governor Ajay Bhalla and submitted his resignation.
Resignation before assembly session
The budget session of Manipur Legislative Assembly was scheduled to begin on Monday and Congress had introduced a no-confidence motion. One of the key reasons for the resignation was the no-confidence motion proposed by Congress.
Additionally, NDA ally, NPP, had withdrawn its support, and internal leaders within BJP were strongly against Biren Singh’s leadership. Faced with pressure both from within and outside his party, he was compelled to resign.
It was alleged that Biren Singh had failed to protect his ministers and MLAs. Political activities in Manipur had intensified in the week leading up to his resignation.
Events leading to Biren’s resignation
- On February 2-3, Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla visited Delhi, where he met with the Home Minister and submitted a detailed report on the situation in the state.
- On February 4, Supreme Court had directed CFSL to submit a report within a month on the alleged audio of N Biren Singh, where he was heard discussing the spread of violence in the state.
- Biren Singh had traveled to Delhi on February 5, coinciding with the Delhi Assembly elections and sought time to meet Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda. However, no direct meeting took place in Delhi.
- On February 6, N Biren Singh traveled to Prayagraj for the Maha Snan, where several of his fellow cabinet ministers also participated in the bath. Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla was also present in Prayagraj on February 6 for the Kumbh bath.
- On February 7, N Biren Singh returned to Delhi from Prayagraj.
- On February 9, Biren Singh met Home Minister Amit Shah and JP Nadda. Following this, he resigned. Manipur in-charge Sambit Patra was present with N Biren Singh throughout the entire incident, from the meeting in Delhi to the submission of his resignation at the Imphal Raj Bhavan.
