Is BJP Eager to Establish a Government in Manipur?

Imphal, May 31 (NationPress) The President of the BJP in Manipur, Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi, stated after a meeting with several MLAs on Saturday that her party is eager to establish a “popular” government in the state.

Sharda Devi emphasized that all BJP legislators are united, and they engaged in discussions on Saturday aimed at forming the government as soon as possible.

“The government should prioritize development and work towards restoring peace and normalcy in the state,” she mentioned to the press following the meeting.

According to party insiders, 13 BJP MLAs participated in the meeting, which took place at the party’s state headquarters in the capital.

BJP member Kh Ibomcha stated that the formation of a government is contingent on the central leadership.

Another member, Paonam Brojen, affirmed that there are no internal disputes regarding the establishment of a new government or its leadership.

A gathering of 23 BJP MLAs convened at the official residence of former minister Biswajit Singh on Friday night, highlighting the need for a long-term resolution to the ethnic crisis afflicting the state.

A joint statement from the legislators recognized the “public demand” for the creation of a popular government.

The meeting at the state party headquarters occurred four days after ten NDA MLAs—eight from BJP and two from the National People’s Party (NPP)—submitted a petition to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, backed by the signatures of 22 legislators requesting the formation of a new government.

These ten MLAs asserted they had support from 44 legislators in the 60-member Assembly to establish a popular government in the state.

Earlier, a statement from the Raj Bhavan indicated that the MLAs urged the Governor to hasten the formation of a popular government in the state.

“Ten MLAs met with the Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, at the Raj Bhavan in Imphal today (Wednesday) to discuss the law and order situation and the political climate in the state. Topics covered included initiating a peace process based on mutual understanding and enhancing security measures,” the statement elaborated.

The 60-member Manipur Assembly has been under suspended animation since the imposition of President's Rule on February 13, with a tenure lasting until 2027.

Former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, who stepped down from his position on February 9, met with the Governor on May 27 to discuss restoring peace and addressing critical issues within the state.

BJP's North East In-charge Sambit Patra visited Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts earlier this month, engaging with Kuki BJP MLAs Vungzagin Valte and Nemcha Kipgen, as well as various Kuki-Zo civil society organizations, including the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU). Kipgen was the sole female Minister in the previous Biren Singh-led government.

Patra also held private discussions with Biren Singh, Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, and numerous other leaders and MLAs in Imphal.

His visit coincided with a letter from 21 MLAs to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, urging them to restore a “popular government” in the state.

Most of these 21 legislators belong to the BJP, with the remainder drawn from the National People's Party (NPP), the Naga People's Front (NPF), and Independent members.

In their correspondence, the MLAs expressed that the citizens of Manipur welcomed the President's Rule with great hope and anticipation; however, they noted a lack of visible actions to restore peace and normalcy in the state. In efforts to address two years of ethnic tensions, the first tripartite meeting between officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and representatives from the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities was conducted in New Delhi on April 5.

The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an apex body representing the Meitei community, convened with MHA officials in Delhi on May 27, reaffirming its dedication to restoring peace within the state.