Will President’s Rule save Manipur or is it too little, too late?

It took three days to announce the president’s rule in Manipur. Nongthombam Biren Singh submitted his resignation on Sunday, February 9. Even though the BJP has a majority in the house, the ruling BJP could not reach a consensus on a new CM.

More than three names were floating around in the media for the CM post. 

Biren Singh has held on to his chair for more than 21 months since the Manipur violence erupted in May 2023. The public voice against Singh was loud and clear, but he was not removed, nor did he step down. This sudden move to resign was surprising as he had done a “resignation drama” earlier with womenfolk tearing down his letter to the governor. When his resignation came, many were doubting the news.

People were still grappling to “confirm” even as his photograph with his resignation came out in the media and social media. Many are still skeptical. Moreover, Biren Singh was appointed as caretaker CM until a new one took over. Many observed this could pave the way for Singh’s return.

If one looks back, ever since the state went into crisis, none of the BJP legislators have fought for overthrowing the chief minister. Nor did anyone attempt to topple him. The opposition Congress did try to criticize and went out with a war of words. But it does not affect much. As the crisis continued and Biren Singh went on to be at the helm of affairs, including handling the crisis on his own, his “one-man army” style of functioning became unpalatable for some of the BJP MLAs.

Slowly, there was growing discontentment. BJP legislators were reported to fly to Delhi frequently. In Manipur, MLAs flying to Delhi is big news. It indeed is news, as decisions and power lie in Delhi. More so with the ‘double engine ki sarkar’.

In 2022, after the state assembly election, the BJP, though a majority party, took over a week to announce the CM. They have 32 MLAs and many more came to support as the BJP forms the government. Only 5 Congress MLAs sit in the opposition.

The rest, NPF, NPP, JDU and Independents, joined the ruling. The problem of too many potential MLAs and promises made was one of the crises that the BJP leadership faced in Manipur. 

Now the infighting among the BJP for the post of the CM has come out in the open. This infighting and tussle for the post of chief minister continues, though in a low profile. The crisis was managed, and all was well until last year.

BJP MLAs now seem to come out of hiding, and the ever-present dissidence has come to the surface. It also appears that Biren Singh did not have the majority command in his party. Be it in 2022 and now in 2025. 

More than three CM camps were rumoured to have existed among the BJP legislators. It is no wonder that the BJP central leadership could not make any decision as to who should succeed Biren Singh.

Perhaps this is what Biren Singh has managed to take full advantage of since 2022 and until now. 

Since the crisis in 2023, none of the BJP MLAs have tried to oust Biren Singh, or so it seems. There is no report, at least in the public domain, of the BJP legislators initiating or taking advantage of the political crisis.

It was only after Congress began to assert that it would bring the no-confidence motion in the upcoming assembly sitting that things started heating up. It is said that the no-confidence motion was also supported by the BJP MLAs. Knowing well of this turn of events, Biren has submitted his resignation. 

Sambit Patra—the man at the helm of the affair—told the media in Imphal that the assembly is under “animated suspension”. With no clarity over the next leader, it is unclear and unpredictable. There were too many leaders. Though they all were anti-Biren, none came up as a potential alternative. One of the talks of the town is “who is closest to the RSS” has the highest chance.

But here again, all the potential candidates are said to be close to Nagpur. The suspended animation still gives time for the BJP to come up with a concrete decision and one voice. Some say even Biren Singh could come back if there is no consensus. 

Biren was the point of attack, and he bears all the burden, especially the Manipur crisis solely on his shoulders.

Even as he was criticized and opposed, there was no name to emerge as to who could potentially replace him. Though many BJP legislators would be happy to have him quit, none came out and openly criticized and slammed him. 

Many commentators were also of the opinion that it would be a huge challenge and a herculean task to take over as the CM of Manipur at this juncture. To put it bluntly, many commented that no MLA would want to take over as head of the state after all the mess left behind by Biren Singh.

This is true to some extent. It will be daunting to take over as the chief minister of the state of Manipur in this present situation. And none of the present MLAs seem to have that capability. 

For instance, will the new CM be able to reach out to Kuki-Zos and travel to Kuki areas? Or vice versa, will the Kuki-Zo MLAs be able to attend the assembly if there is a new CM? This is unlikely. The divide is already too deep, and reaching out to communities will take a long time. 

It is also assumed that the CM post is a given for the Meitei community. There are no talks of any tribal, say the Nagas, for example, or the Pangals to take over as a CM. But in Manipur, the CM post is considered the birthright of the Meiteis. However, there are assembly terms where tribals also become CMs, such as Rishang Keishing.

Those are a rarity, a one-off situationGiven the present situation, a non-Meitei CM is unthinkable. Nor a Naga or Kuki-Zo CM or a Pangal. They neither have the number nor the support.  

Also Read: