Imphal, Feb 4 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed optimism on Wednesday regarding the newly established government in Manipur, spearheaded by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh. He believes that this administration will be committed to enhancing development and securing prosperity for its residents.

The Prime Minister extended his congratulations to Singh and the other ministers who took their oaths during a modest ceremony at Lok Bhavan.

On his official X account, PM Modi wrote: “Congratulations to Shri Yumnam Khemchand Singh Ji on being sworn in as the Chief Minister of Manipur. I also congratulate Smt. Nemcha Kipgen Ji and Shri Loishi Dikho Ji for their roles as Deputy Chief Ministers, along with Shri Konthoujam Govindas Singh Ji and Shri Khuraijam Loken Singh Ji for their ministerial appointments in the Manipur government.”

“I am confident they will work tirelessly towards advancing development and ensuring prosperity for my sisters and brothers of Manipur,” stated the Prime Minister.

Immediately following his oath at Lok Bhavan, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh pledged to honor the trust placed in him by Prime Minister Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP President Nitin Nabin.

“I aim to meet the expectations of Prime Minister Modi, Amit Shah, and Nitin Nabin,” Singh told reporters.

Both Deputy Chief Ministers, Nemcha Kipgen from the Kuki tribal community and Loishi Dikho from the Naga tribal community, were also sworn in.

Kipgen, a BJP member, is the only woman minister in the new cabinet, while Dikho represents the Naga People’s Front (NPF).

When asked about including Kipgen and Dikho in his cabinet, the Chief Minister emphasized that Manipur comprises 36 communities and that the new government will prioritize the interests of all.

“Our focus will be on assisting individuals from all communities, restoring peace, and enhancing ethnic harmony,” he remarked.

Deputy Chief Minister Loishi Dikho added that the government would strive to engage with every community and fulfill the aspirations of the state's populace.

“Inclusiveness is the guiding principle of our government,” said Dikho, a veteran Naga leader serving his third term in the Manipur Assembly from the Naga-dominated Senapati district.

Earlier on Wednesday evening, former Assembly Speaker Yumnam Khemchand Singh was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Manipur.

This swearing-in followed the BJP’s announcement in New Delhi that the 61-year-old leader from the Meitei community will assume the role of the new Legislature Party Leader.

Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new Chief Minister, the two Deputy Chief Ministers, and two additional ministers during the ceremony at Lok Bhavan.

The other ministers taking the oath included Nemcha Kipgen and Govindas Konthoujam from the BJP, Loishi Dikho from the NPF, and Khuraijam Loken Singh from the National People’s Party (NPP), led by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.

Former minister Nemcha Kipgen took her oath virtually from Manipur Bhavan in New Delhi as Deputy Chief Minister. The ministry led by Khemchand Singh will expand later, as seven ministerial positions remain unfulfilled.

The BJP's newly appointed Central observer Tarun Chugh, along with the party’s Northeast coordinator Sambit Patra, former Chief Minister Biren Singh, Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, state BJP President Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi, several MLAs, and numerous dignitaries attended the swearing-in ceremony.

Earlier on the same day, the Centre lifted President’s Rule from Manipur, setting the stage for the Yumnam Khemchand Singh-led NDA government in the state, according to officials.

"In exercising the powers granted by clause (2) of Article 356 of the Constitution, I, Droupadi Murmu, President of India, hereby revoke the Proclamation issued by me under the said article on the 13th day of February, 2025, concerning the State of Manipur, effective from the 4th day of February, 2026," stated a notification issued by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan.

Manipur had been under President’s Rule since February 13 of the previous year, shortly after then-Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned amid ongoing ethnic turmoil. Biren Singh stepped down on February 9 after escalating unrest between the non-tribal Meitei and tribal Kuki-Zo communities.

The ethnic strife that erupted on May 3, 2023, following a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ organized in the hill districts to oppose the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status, resulted in over 260 fatalities, approximately 1,500 injuries, and the displacement of more than 70,000 individuals.

The 60-member Manipur Assembly, which was under suspended animation following the imposition of President’s Rule, is set to serve until 2027. Party leaders and a significant number of MLAs welcomed Khemchand Singh upon his arrival at Imphal airport on Wednesday morning from New Delhi.

After months of uncertainty and extended negotiations regarding government formation in Manipur, the BJP announced on Tuesday that Khemchand Singh would be the state's next Chief Minister.

BJP leaders indicated that Khemchand Singh was elected as the Legislature Party Leader at a meeting in the national capital attended by BJP MLAs from Manipur, along with Central Observer Chugh and Patra, among other senior leaders.

During the BJP meeting in Delhi, Khemchand Singh’s name was put forth as the Legislature Party leader by former Chief Minister Biren Singh.

The BJP holds 37 MLAs in the 60-member Manipur Assembly, while its NDA allies—the National People’s Party (NPP) and Naga People’s Front (NPF)—have six and five MLAs, respectively. Three Independent MLAs are also backing the BJP-led NDA.

Earlier on Wednesday, Khemchand Singh, accompanied by Chugh, Sambit Patra, Biren Singh, Sharda Devi, and several MLAs, met with the Governor at Lok Bhavan to assert his claim to form the government, subsequently receiving an invitation to do so.