Biren Singh Leads BJP MLAs to Delhi to Push for Restoration of “Popular Government” in Manipur
In a pivotal political development, former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and a number of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs from Manipur have proceeded to New Delhi with the explicit agenda of urging the party’s central leadership to facilitate the establishment of a “popular government” in the state.
Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February 13, 2025, following Biren Singh’s resignation on February 9 amid mounting political and ethnic disturbances. The state assembly comprising 60 members is under suspended animation, preserving its term until 2027 but suspending its functions until normal governance is restored.
Underlying this vacuum is the prolonged ethnic conflict that began in May 2023, especially between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, which has led to loss of lives, large-scale displacement, and severe administrative strain in Manipur.
Before departing from Imphal, Biren Singh addressed reporters at the airport, saying that the delegation’s mission is to request central leaders to facilitate the formation of a new popular government, address the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs), and ensure reopening of key highways disrupted due to unrest.
The delegation includes senior BJP figures: former ministers Sapam Ranjan Singh and Heikham Dingo Singh, along with MLA Tongbram Robindro Singh, among others. Additional BJP MLAs such as Leishangthem Susindro Meitei, Thangjam Arunkumar, Lourembam Rameshwor Meetei have also departed Imphal for Delhi in separate groups.
Sources indicate the delegation plans to first meet with BJP’s Northeast in-charge (Sambit Patra) and subsequently seek an appointment with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to press their case.
The MLAs emphasize that their move is not merely symbolic but a tactical push to translate party promises into action. Their demands are rooted in both political urgency and a humanitarian appeal expecting the central leadership to intervene decisively.
Over the subsequent days, the number of BJP MLAs heading to Delhi has swelled. As many as 11 additional MLAs left Imphal on Sunday with the same goal pushing for restoration of the elected government. Among them are MLAs Khemchand, Usham Deben, Thounaojam Shyamkumar, Karam Shyam, L. Rameshor, Ibomcha, Kunjakesor, Govindas, Satyabrata, K. Robindro, and Sheikh Noorul Hassan.
One key development is the warning issued by MLA Thounaojam Shyamkumar: he stated that if central leaders do not grant them a meeting or heed their demands, he and his colleagues may resign from their legislative posts. At Imphal Airport before departure, he emphasized that “resignation is the only option” if the central leadership does not respond.
This mission to Delhi is laden with high stakes. For the BJP state unit, it is a test of central responsiveness and internal coherence. A successful outcome would allow the party to reassert its legitimacy in Manipur’s governance and control narrative in the face of criticism over ethnic violence and administrative lapses.
However, challenges loom large: Ethnic tensions still rage in parts of the state; any incoming government must navigate the complex Meitei–Kuki fault lines. The central leadership’s calculus will include national political optics, coalition dynamics, and security considerations. There is a risk of exacerbating intra-party dissent, especially if demands are delayed or partially met. The MLAs’ threat of resignation raises the specter of political destabilization if consensus within BJP fails to hold.
As Biren Singh and his delegation “camp” in Delhi, all eyes will be on how quickly central leadership reacts. If a meeting is arranged and commitments made, it could pave the way for a return to democratic governance in Manipur. If ignored or delayed, the BJP MLAs’ internal pressures may escalate potentially triggering resignations or public confrontations.
In sum, this bold move reflects BJP’s tactical attempt to bridge the gap between central authority and regional demands. At stake is the roadmap for restoring legitimacy, governance, and stability in a state still reeling from conflict and political uncertainty.
Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February 13, 2025, following Biren Singh’s resignation on February 9 amid mounting political and ethnic disturbances. The state assembly comprising 60 members is under suspended animation, preserving its term until 2027 but suspending its functions until normal governance is restored.
Underlying this vacuum is the prolonged ethnic conflict that began in May 2023, especially between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, which has led to loss of lives, large-scale displacement, and severe administrative strain in Manipur.
Before departing from Imphal, Biren Singh addressed reporters at the airport, saying that the delegation’s mission is to request central leaders to facilitate the formation of a new popular government, address the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs), and ensure reopening of key highways disrupted due to unrest.
The delegation includes senior BJP figures: former ministers Sapam Ranjan Singh and Heikham Dingo Singh, along with MLA Tongbram Robindro Singh, among others. Additional BJP MLAs such as Leishangthem Susindro Meitei, Thangjam Arunkumar, Lourembam Rameshwor Meetei have also departed Imphal for Delhi in separate groups.
Sources indicate the delegation plans to first meet with BJP’s Northeast in-charge (Sambit Patra) and subsequently seek an appointment with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to press their case.
The MLAs emphasize that their move is not merely symbolic but a tactical push to translate party promises into action. Their demands are rooted in both political urgency and a humanitarian appeal expecting the central leadership to intervene decisively.
Over the subsequent days, the number of BJP MLAs heading to Delhi has swelled. As many as 11 additional MLAs left Imphal on Sunday with the same goal pushing for restoration of the elected government. Among them are MLAs Khemchand, Usham Deben, Thounaojam Shyamkumar, Karam Shyam, L. Rameshor, Ibomcha, Kunjakesor, Govindas, Satyabrata, K. Robindro, and Sheikh Noorul Hassan.
One key development is the warning issued by MLA Thounaojam Shyamkumar: he stated that if central leaders do not grant them a meeting or heed their demands, he and his colleagues may resign from their legislative posts. At Imphal Airport before departure, he emphasized that “resignation is the only option” if the central leadership does not respond.
This mission to Delhi is laden with high stakes. For the BJP state unit, it is a test of central responsiveness and internal coherence. A successful outcome would allow the party to reassert its legitimacy in Manipur’s governance and control narrative in the face of criticism over ethnic violence and administrative lapses.
However, challenges loom large: Ethnic tensions still rage in parts of the state; any incoming government must navigate the complex Meitei–Kuki fault lines. The central leadership’s calculus will include national political optics, coalition dynamics, and security considerations. There is a risk of exacerbating intra-party dissent, especially if demands are delayed or partially met. The MLAs’ threat of resignation raises the specter of political destabilization if consensus within BJP fails to hold.
As Biren Singh and his delegation “camp” in Delhi, all eyes will be on how quickly central leadership reacts. If a meeting is arranged and commitments made, it could pave the way for a return to democratic governance in Manipur. If ignored or delayed, the BJP MLAs’ internal pressures may escalate potentially triggering resignations or public confrontations.
In sum, this bold move reflects BJP’s tactical attempt to bridge the gap between central authority and regional demands. At stake is the roadmap for restoring legitimacy, governance, and stability in a state still reeling from conflict and political uncertainty.
