“Hill and valley MLAs ready to stake claim, backing Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata”
In the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, political tensions have once again resurfaced as legislators aligned with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) publicly signalled readiness to stake a claim to form the government. On 7 November 2025, BJP MLA L. Rameshwor Meetei stated that a group of like-minded BJP legislators drawing support from both the hill and valley regions of the state have chosen Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata as their projected leader and are prepared to convey their claim to the Governor
Manipur has been under central control for much of the past period. President’s Rule was imposed in February 2025 following the resignation of then-Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, amidst strong criticism over the administration’s handling of ethnic clashes between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.
During this period of uncertainty, the BJP in the state has faced internal pressures and external challenges alike. In his remarks, L. Rameshwor warned that if the state government is not formed by November, “the party’s position will not be favourable” and added that in such a scenario “fresh elections should be held”.
Meetei asserted that the group of BJP MLAs comprises legislators from both hill and valley constituencies, thereby signalling a cross-regional consensus within the party’s state unit. He said they have “chosen Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata” to lead the government formation.
This move follows an earlier statement by BJP MLA Thokchom Radheshyam Singh, who on 28 May 2025 claimed that “44 MLAs are ready to form a government” after meeting Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. Singh said that the Speaker had “individually and jointly met the 44 MLAs. There is no one who opposes the formation of a new government.”
The declarations indicate that the BJP and its allies believe they have the numerical strength necessary to stake a claim. The statement by Singh of 44 MLAs being ready came amid President’s Rule, underlining the urgency within the party to restore a popular government.
Meetei’s remarks elevate the situation: not only is there readiness among legislators, but a leadership alternative Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata is being floated. The explicit mention of support from both hill and valley MLAs suggests an attempt to present a broad, regionally inclusive front, significant in a state marked by ethnic, regional and hill-valley fault lines.
Moreover, Meetei’s warning that the party’s standing could suffer if the government is not formed by November puts pressure on the central leadership of the BJP to act. It signals that the local unit is keener than ever to transition from limbo to governance.
Despite these strong declarations, several obstacles remain. Under the Indian Constitution, a government can only be formed when the Governor invites someone to prove majority, and the central party leadership must sanction any claim in a state such as Manipur with fragile ethnic and political equations. Meetei himself said they are prepared to convey the claim “but have been waiting for a favourable time.”
The ethnic tensions in Manipur especially between the valley-dwelling Meitei community and hill-based Kuki-Zo communities continue to be an overhang on political stability and governance. The inclusion of hill-region MLAs is likely an attempt to address this reality. Past relief from the conflict has been only partial, and governance remains fragile.
The next steps will hinge on the central leadership’s response, the Governor’s judgement, and whether the legislators decide to formally submit a list of support (and stake claim) under the constitutional process. If the claim is accepted, the invited leader, likely Speaker Satyabrata under this declaration, would need to prove majority in the 60-member assembly (with one seat currently vacant) to form the government.
If the process is delayed further, Meetei’s warning of fresh elections may gain traction. That indicates not just impatience at the local level but a recognition that prolonged administrative limbo could erode the party’s electoral strength.
The latest statements by L. Rameshwor Meetei and previous declarations by Thokchom Radheshyam Singh mark a renewed push within the BJP in Manipur to move out of the deadlock and into government. By projecting Speaker Satyabrata as the leader and emphasising support from both hill and valley legislators, the party is signalling readiness. However, the path to actual government formation remains complex given constitutional requirements, ethnic sensitivities and strategic calculations by the central leadership. The next few weeks will determine whether this is political posturing or a decisive shift toward restoring democratic governance in Manipur.
Manipur has been under central control for much of the past period. President’s Rule was imposed in February 2025 following the resignation of then-Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, amidst strong criticism over the administration’s handling of ethnic clashes between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.
During this period of uncertainty, the BJP in the state has faced internal pressures and external challenges alike. In his remarks, L. Rameshwor warned that if the state government is not formed by November, “the party’s position will not be favourable” and added that in such a scenario “fresh elections should be held”.
Meetei asserted that the group of BJP MLAs comprises legislators from both hill and valley constituencies, thereby signalling a cross-regional consensus within the party’s state unit. He said they have “chosen Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata” to lead the government formation.
This move follows an earlier statement by BJP MLA Thokchom Radheshyam Singh, who on 28 May 2025 claimed that “44 MLAs are ready to form a government” after meeting Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. Singh said that the Speaker had “individually and jointly met the 44 MLAs. There is no one who opposes the formation of a new government.”
The declarations indicate that the BJP and its allies believe they have the numerical strength necessary to stake a claim. The statement by Singh of 44 MLAs being ready came amid President’s Rule, underlining the urgency within the party to restore a popular government.
Meetei’s remarks elevate the situation: not only is there readiness among legislators, but a leadership alternative Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata is being floated. The explicit mention of support from both hill and valley MLAs suggests an attempt to present a broad, regionally inclusive front, significant in a state marked by ethnic, regional and hill-valley fault lines.
Moreover, Meetei’s warning that the party’s standing could suffer if the government is not formed by November puts pressure on the central leadership of the BJP to act. It signals that the local unit is keener than ever to transition from limbo to governance.
Despite these strong declarations, several obstacles remain. Under the Indian Constitution, a government can only be formed when the Governor invites someone to prove majority, and the central party leadership must sanction any claim in a state such as Manipur with fragile ethnic and political equations. Meetei himself said they are prepared to convey the claim “but have been waiting for a favourable time.”
The ethnic tensions in Manipur especially between the valley-dwelling Meitei community and hill-based Kuki-Zo communities continue to be an overhang on political stability and governance. The inclusion of hill-region MLAs is likely an attempt to address this reality. Past relief from the conflict has been only partial, and governance remains fragile.
The next steps will hinge on the central leadership’s response, the Governor’s judgement, and whether the legislators decide to formally submit a list of support (and stake claim) under the constitutional process. If the claim is accepted, the invited leader, likely Speaker Satyabrata under this declaration, would need to prove majority in the 60-member assembly (with one seat currently vacant) to form the government.
If the process is delayed further, Meetei’s warning of fresh elections may gain traction. That indicates not just impatience at the local level but a recognition that prolonged administrative limbo could erode the party’s electoral strength.
The latest statements by L. Rameshwor Meetei and previous declarations by Thokchom Radheshyam Singh mark a renewed push within the BJP in Manipur to move out of the deadlock and into government. By projecting Speaker Satyabrata as the leader and emphasising support from both hill and valley legislators, the party is signalling readiness. However, the path to actual government formation remains complex given constitutional requirements, ethnic sensitivities and strategic calculations by the central leadership. The next few weeks will determine whether this is political posturing or a decisive shift toward restoring democratic governance in Manipur.
