Four days after N Biren Singh resigned as Chief Minister, the Centre announced on Thursday that President’s Rule had been imposed in Manipur, placing the state assembly under suspended animation. The decision follows a report from Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, marking a significant development in the state, which has been embroiled in ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023.
President Droupadi Murmu’s proclamation came shortly after both Houses of Parliament adjourned, with the Budget session set to resume on March 10. A security plan was put in place before the imposition of President’s Rule, with state police and intelligence agencies monitoring movements to prevent any untoward incidents.
The BJP-led state government collapsed on February 9 after Biren Singh resigned following discussions in New Delhi with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president J P Nadda. The Governor subsequently issued a notification declaring the previously scheduled Assembly session on February 10 “null and void.” The Congress had earlier threatened to introduce a no-confidence motion against the Singh government.
Manipur’s 60-member Assembly currently has 59 MLAs after the recent demise of an NPP legislator. Among them, 37 belong to the BJP, six to the NPP, five to the NPF, five to Congress, two to the Kuki People’s Alliance, one to the JD(U), and three are independents. The KPA and NPP, which were part of the government, had withdrawn support following the violence, though two NPP MLAs continued backing Singh despite their party’s decision.
A notification issued by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan stated that the President, after considering the Governor’s report and other received information, was satisfied that the Manipur government could not function according to constitutional provisions. Invoking Article 356, the proclamation transfers all state government functions and legislative powers to the President, exercisable under Parliament’s authority.
The decision followed three days of BJP-led meetings in Imphal with Northeast coordination in an attempt to select a new CM. However, as The Indian Express had earlier reported, the Centre was considering imposing President’s Rule if a consensus was not reached soon. Some BJP MLAs had advocated for a temporary period of President’s Rule to facilitate a strong crackdown on armed groups operating in both the hills and valleys.
The Congress has been vocal in its opposition to the move, with Manipur Congress President K. Meghachandra Singh criticizing the BJP’s handling of the state, calling it a “completely failed state” under Biren Singh. Meanwhile, Kuki-Zo groups welcomed President’s Rule, stating that it offered more hope for a political resolution than merely changing the Chief Minister.
ITLF spokesperson Ginza Vualzong expressed optimism, asserting that President’s Rule would lay the groundwork for ending violence and fostering an environment conducive to political dialogue.
