BJP legislators in Manipur met with state BJP president A. Sharda Devi, urging a joint meeting to discuss leadership change following N. Biren Singh’s resignation. They dismissed claims of internal division and pushed for an end to President’s Rule.
TFM Report
Amid the ongoing President’s Rule in Manipur, a group of BJP legislators met with state BJP president A. Sharda Devi at the party headquarters in Imphal on Thursday, pushing for a joint meeting to discuss leadership changes.
The meeting was attended by MLA Yumnam Khemchand, MLA L. Ibomcha, MLA Karam Shyam, MLA Th. Shyamkumar, and MLA T. Robindro.
Following the meeting, former MAHUD Minister Yumnam Khemchand addressed the media, stating that while BJP legislators remain united, they have found it difficult to convene collectively since Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s resignation.
“However, a joint meeting will be arranged soon,” Khemchand assured. Regarding speculation about forming a government with a regional party, he dismissed the possibility, stating, “It is not possible to form a government with a regional party.”
He also noted that the central leadership, including the 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs, would decide on the appointment of a new Chief Minister.
Political Crisis and Leadership Speculation
The political crisis in Manipur escalated in the days leading up to Biren Singh’s resignation on February 9, with several BJP legislators, including the former CM himself, rushing to the national capital to consult with party leaders.
A former minister in Biren Singh’s government, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “There is a possibility of forming a new government with support from a regional party after fresh elections. Among the legislators, there are many qualified representatives who could be appointed as the new leader.” However, when asked for specific names, the minister declined to disclose them.
BJP MLAs Reject Claims of Internal Division
Speaking to the media, MLA T. Robindro stated that they had met with state president Sharda Devi to address misleading news reports suggesting that BJP MLAs were divided into two camps.
“We came to know through social media and some news reports that there are two camps among the MLAs. That is completely false,” Robindro clarified, asserting that all BJP MLAs are united.
“We have been requesting the state president to approach central leaders for government formation so that peace can be restored and normalcy returns to the state,” he added.
Robindro further stated that BJP legislators have been reaching out to community leaders and leaders from different political parties.
“There are no two camps. Something concrete and solid will emerge very soon. The state president has assured us that all MLAs will be summoned for a joint meeting,” he said.
Robindro also claimed that the BJP still has a majority to form a government. “President’s Rule was imposed due to the law-and-order situation, but it is only a temporary suspension, not a complete dissolution of the government. This means another government will be formed soon. There is no indication that President’s Rule will continue indefinitely, nor that the Assembly will be dissolved and re-elections will be held,” he emphasized.
“We do not expect such an outcome. We have faith in the President and central leadership,” he added.
Push for New Leadership and End to President’s Rule
MLA Th. Shyamkumar, who served as an advisor in the first Biren Singh government, told the media, “We met the party president to urge her to approach central leaders for the appointment of a new state leader, as the position remains vacant. We also discussed the need to restore peace by lifting President’s Rule and ending the state’s ‘suspended animation.’”
Shyamkumar further warned, “If President’s Rule continues in Manipur and the Assembly is dissolved, then it would be better for legislators to resign, as there would be no point in remaining as MLAs under such circumstances.”
President’s Rule and Central Leadership’s Role
On February 13, four days after Biren Singh’s resignation, the central government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, imposed President’s Rule, placing the state under ‘suspended animation.’
During this period, BJP Northeast in-charge Sambit Patra held several meetings with BJP legislators at Hotel Imphal to discuss the future political roadmap for the state.
Meanwhile, an official source confirmed that Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla will be administering the state during President’s Rule and will set up his office at the Old Secretariat in Imphal.
“Some of the former ministers’ offices inside the Secretariat will be occupied by officials from the Governor’s office for the time being,” the official added.