New Delhi/Imphal, Feb 2 (NationPress) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has commenced the selection process for a new Chief Minister in Manipur, where President's Rule has been imposed since February 13 of last year, following the resignation of former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh amid extended ethnic unrest.

The BJP's Parliamentary Board has designated Tarun Chugh, the National General Secretary of the BJP, as the Central Observer for the election of the Legislative Party Leader in Manipur.

"The BJP Parliamentary Board has appointed Tarun Chugh, the party's National General Secretary, as Central Observer for the election of the Legislative Party Leader in Manipur," stated the BJP's National General Secretary and headquarters in charge during a press announcement.

However, the BJP has not yet revealed the date for the Legislative Party meeting.

Senior BJP leaders are anticipated to conduct a significant meeting with party MLAs and NDA partners from Manipur in New Delhi on Monday or Tuesday to deliberate over critical state matters.

Reports indicate that a substantial number of BJP and allied MLAs have already arrived in New Delhi.

Former Chief Minister Biren Singh and Manipur BJP President Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi are accompanying these MLAs.

Before departing Imphal for New Delhi, Sharda Devi stated that all NDA MLAs have been summoned by the Central BJP leadership to discuss various state-related issues.

"We anticipate that the government formation issue will be part of the discussions," Sharda Devi informed the media.

Former Chief Minister Biren Singh expressed optimism for a favorable outcome, noting that since all NDA MLAs have been invited, he expects productive discussions.

"We were simply instructed to convene in Delhi for a meeting. No specific agenda was shared with us," he added.

The Union government had enforced President's Rule in Manipur on February 13 last year, just four days after Biren Singh resigned.

This rule is scheduled to terminate on February 12 of this year.

The 60-member Manipur Assembly, which has a term extending until 2027, remains in suspended animation.

Following the imposition of President's Rule, senior leaders from the BJP, including National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santhosh and Northeast Coordinator Sambit Patra, have held several discussions with Manipur MLAs in both New Delhi and Imphal.

Previously, on December 14 of last year, the Manipur BJP Legislature Party convened at the party headquarters in New Delhi to deliberate on the peace process and other significant issues affecting the violence-stricken state.

The gathering included over 34 BJP MLAs, among them former Chief Minister Biren Singh and State Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, along with B.L. Santhosh, Sambit Patra, and Manipur BJP President Sharda Devi.

In a message posted on its official X account, the BJP stated: "The Manipur BJP Legislature Party meeting was held today at the BJP headquarters in Delhi with the presence of BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santhosh ji and party's Northeast Coordinator Sambit Patra ji."

"The discussion was focused on achieving peace and progress in Manipur," the party added.

The BJP holds 37 seats in the state Assembly, while its NDA partners, the National People’s Party (NPP) and the Naga People's Front (NPF), possess six and five seats respectively.

Additionally, three Independent MLAs are also supporting the BJP-led NDA.