Imphal, Feb 4 (NationPress) Senior BJP figure Yumnam Khemchand Singh is anticipated to take the oath as the new Chief Minister of Manipur at the Lok Bhavan on Wednesday evening, as per a senior official's statement.

According to a senior official from the Manipur government, several ministers, including one or more Deputy Chief Ministers, are also expected to be sworn in alongside the new Chief Minister.

“The exact timing of the swearing-in ceremony and the list of ministers will be confirmed shortly. Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla will officiate the oath ceremony at the Lok Bhavan,” the official informed IANS on the condition of anonymity.

Previously, Yumnam Khemchand Singh, accompanied by newly appointed Central Observer Tarun Chugh, the BJP’s Northeast coordinator Sambit Patra, and several MLAs, met the Governor at the Lok Bhavan to stake a claim for forming the BJP-led government.

The Governor has invited Singh to form the government, as noted by the official.

Upon arriving at Imphal airport from New Delhi on Wednesday morning, Yumnam Khemchand Singh was welcomed by party leaders and a significant number of MLAs. Unofficial reports suggest that the new BJP government may include one or two Deputy Chief Ministers, with two MLAs from the Kuki-Zo community likely to join the ministry under Singh’s leadership.

After months of uncertainty regarding government formation in Manipur, the BJP announced on Tuesday that former Assembly Speaker and former cabinet minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh will be the next Chief Minister.

BJP leaders disclosed that Khemchand Singh was chosen as the Legislature Party Leader during a meeting in the national capital attended by BJP MLAs from Manipur, alongside Central Observer Tarun Chugh and other senior leaders.

In the gathering at the BJP headquarters in Delhi, former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh proposed Khemchand Singh’s name as the Legislature Party leader.

Since February 13 of last year, President’s Rule has been in place in Manipur following the resignation of the previous Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh, due to extended ethnic strife.

A senior official indicated that the Ministry of Home Affairs is likely to issue a notification on Wednesday to revoke the President’s Rule.

The 60-member Manipur Assembly, which is set to continue until 2027, has been in a state of suspended animation.

Following the imposition of President’s Rule, senior BJP leaders, including national General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santhosh and the party’s Northeast coordinator Sambit Patra, have conducted a series of meetings with Manipur MLAs in both New Delhi and Imphal.

The BJP holds 37 seats in the 60-member Manipur Assembly, while its NDA allies—the National People’s Party (NPP) and the Naga People’s Front (NPF)—hold six and five seats respectively. Three Independent MLAs are also supporting the BJP-led NDA. The NPP, led by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, and the NPF are backing the BJP in Manipur as part of the NDA.