Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh Resigns Before Assembly Session
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Synopsis
On February 9, N. Biren Singh resigned as Manipur's Chief Minister just before an important Assembly session, following nearly two years of ethnic violence. His resignation has sparked significant political activity as the opposition prepares a no-confidence motion.
Key Takeaways
- Biren Singh resigned as Chief Minister of Manipur on February 9.
- His resignation comes ahead of a crucial Assembly session.
- Opposition Congress plans to introduce a no-confidence motion.
- Singh expressed gratitude for Central government support.
- Ethnic violence has overshadowed Singh's leadership.
Imphal, Feb 9 (NationPress) Nearly two years after the ethnic strife erupted in Manipur and severely affected the state, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh officially tendered his resignation to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Sunday, just a day prior to the pivotal Assembly session.
An official from the Raj Bhavan confirmed that the Governor accepted the resignation and requested Biren Singh to remain in his role as caretaker Chief Minister until a new arrangement is established.
Biren Singh was joined by BJP's northeast in-charge, Sambit Patra, who traveled to Imphal from Delhi. In the capital, he convened a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party president J.P. Nadda.
A senior party official informed IANS that Singh's resignation came as a directive from central BJP leaders.
“Upon his arrival in Imphal on Sunday afternoon, he proceeded to the Chief Minister's secretariat before heading to Raj Bhavan to submit his resignation,” the official, who preferred anonymity, stated.
N. Biren Singh's resignation occurs amidst intense political maneuvering, with the opposition Congress poised to initiate a no-confidence motion against the BJP government in the forthcoming Assembly session, starting Monday.
In his letter to the Governor, Biren Singh expressed his appreciation for the Central government's interventions and development initiatives, noting it had been a privilege to serve Manipur.
“I am profoundly grateful to the Central government for timely actions, interventions, developmental work, and implementation of numerous projects aimed at safeguarding the interests of every single Manipuri,” he remarked.
“I sincerely appeal to the Central government through your esteemed office to persist with the same efforts. I wish to highlight a few critical issues,” Biren Singh noted, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining the “territorial integrity of Manipur, which boasts a rich and diverse civilizational history spanning thousands of years,” tackling “border infiltration, formulating policies for the deportation of illegal immigrants,” and “combating drugs and narco-terrorism.”
He also mentioned the “robust and fool-proof revised mechanism of FMR with stringent biometric applications” and the “expedited progress of border enhancements that is currently underway.”
Nongthombam Biren Singh, aged 64, assumed the role of the 12th Chief Minister of Manipur on March 15, 2017, after steering the BJP to its inaugural victory in the state and successfully retaining power in the 2022 Assembly elections.
However, the ethnic clashes between Meitis and Kuki-Zos that erupted in May 2023 overshadowed his second term.
Meanwhile, a senior Raj Bhavan official mentioned that Singh, accompanied by several ministers and party leaders, met with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to submit his resignation.
A senior party figure indicated that the party's central leadership would likely announce new leadership after consulting with state officials within the next few days.
Although there had been longstanding rumors regarding Biren Singh's possible resignation under central leaders' directives, the events of Sunday surprised both political and non-political circles alike.
During the meeting with the Governor, N. Biren Singh was joined by BJP's northeast in-charge and Lok Sabha member from Puri, Sambit Patra, state unit BJP President Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi, various cabinet ministers, and party officials.
On June 30, 2023, Singh found himself in a political maelstrom when he attempted to resign amid mounting pressure due to the ongoing ethnic violence in the state.
The “resignation drama” was characterized by protests from thousands of his supporters, predominantly elderly women, who tore up his resignation letter.
The protestors obstructed his convoy while he endeavored to reach Raj Bhavan. Singh exited his vehicle in an attempt to persuade them, but they remained resolute, compelling him to return home.
The hours-long demonstration outside the Chief Minister's residence reached a dramatic conclusion when Cabinet Minister L. Susindro Meitei read Singh's resignation letter to the crowd, only for the women to seize it and shred it.
