President’s Rule Imposed in Manipur Following Chief Minister’s Resignation

The political landscape in Manipur underwent a significant shift as Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned from his post on February 9, nearly 21 months after the onset of ethnic violence that has claimed over 250 lives and displaced thousands. His resignation was submitted to Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla in Imphal, just a day before the state assembly was set to convene for the budget session, which was subsequently canceled.

In his resignation letter, Singh expressed gratitude to the central government, stating, "It has been an honor to serve the people of Manipur. I am extremely grateful for the timely interventions, developmental initiatives, and projects implemented to safeguard the interests of every citizen in the state."

Backdrop of Resignation and Political Fallout

Singh’s resignation came shortly after the Supreme Court directed a central forensics laboratory to examine leaked audio recordings in which he was allegedly heard claiming that the violence in Manipur had been instigated at his behest. The opposition parties have accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of acting belatedly to remove Singh, citing concerns over the stability of the government and potential legal repercussions.

In the absence of a consensus on Singh’s successor, the central government imposed President’s Rule in Manipur. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an official notification stating,

"I, Droupadi Murmu, President of India, have received a report from the Governor of Manipur and, after considering the report and other relevant information, am satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the Government of the State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of India."

BJP Fails to Reach Consensus on Leadership

Despite multiple discussions, the BJP has yet to announce a replacement for the chief minister’s post. Northeast BJP in-charge Sambit Patra held multiple meetings with state party legislators and met with Governor Bhalla twice over two days. However, no resolution has been reached.

Meanwhile, Congress MLA Thokchom Lokeshwar questioned Patra’s role in the ongoing political crisis, stating that his visit seemed aimed at preventing an assembly session rather than resolving the leadership issue. "His priority should have been to facilitate discussions among BJP MLAs to appoint a new chief minister," Lokeshwar remarked.

Ethnic Violence and No-Confidence Motion

Manipur has been embroiled in ethnic strife since May 2023, leading to mass displacement and loss of life. The opposition, particularly the Congress party, had been mounting pressure on Singh’s administration and had even moved a no-confidence motion in the state assembly. Reports suggested that a faction of BJP MLAs might have voted in favor of the motion, adding to the leadership crisis.

The Governor had scheduled the assembly session for February 10, 2025, but with the imposition of President’s Rule, the state remains in political limbo as uncertainty looms over its governance.