Manipur placed under President’s Rule amid political turmoil

Manipur was brought under President’s Rule on Wednesday following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who stepped down amid internal dissent within the state BJP unit and mounting pressure from the opposition Congress.

The Centre’s decision came after the party failed to reach a consensus on a new leader, plunging the violence-hit state into political uncertainty.

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A communiqué from the Rashtrapati Bhavan stated that President Droupadi Murmu, after reviewing the Governor’s report and other inputs, was convinced that “a situation has arisen in which the Government of that State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of India.”

Biren Singh, a former footballer-turned-politician and two-term BJP Chief Minister, resigned on Sunday after meeting with the party’s central leadership in Delhi.

His departure followed growing dissent within the state BJP, where a faction of MLAs had been calling for his replacement over governance issues and handling of the ongoing ethnic conflict between Meitei and Kuki communities.

Despite efforts by BJP’s Northeast in-charge Sambit Patra, who has been in Imphal negotiating with party MLAs, no consensus could be reached on a new Chief Minister.

Initially, sources suggested a breakthrough on Tuesday, but differences among factions persisted, forcing the Centre to impose President’s Rule to prevent further instability.

The political crisis in Manipur is unfolding against the backdrop of prolonged ethnic violence that erupted in May 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki communities.

Over 200 people have been killed, and thousands displaced, as armed clashes, arson, and targeted attacks have rocked the state. Despite heavy deployment of central security forces, sporadic violence has continued, worsening the humanitarian situation.

The crisis has also seen the involvement of armed militant groups, with security forces launching crackdowns on these outfits.

Additionally, Manipur Police have been investigating cases of militants procuring activated SIM cards with fake documents, raising concerns about the role of external elements in fuelling the conflict.

The Congress, sensing an opportunity amid BJP’s internal strife, had been preparing to move a no-confidence motion against the Biren Singh government.

The opposition accused the BJP of mishandling the ethnic conflict and failing to restore normalcy. Singh’s resignation was seen as a pre-emptive move to avoid political embarrassment in the state assembly.

However, the BJP’s inability to decide on a new leader has exposed deep divisions within the party. The Centre’s decision to impose President’s Rule suggests a temporary pause as it seeks to resolve internal conflicts and chart a way forward.

With the President’s Rule in place, the state will now be administered directly by the Governor, and legislative powers will be vested in Parliament.