Manipur Cabinet Expansion: 2 more Kuki ministers likely

Jorhat: About ten days after the BJP-led government formation in Manipur, the expansion of the state cabinet may take place on February 23 or 24. The strength of the council of ministers in Manipur is 12. Recently, five ministers were sworn in.

A senior BJP leader, who did not want to be named, said, "There is a likely possibility of two more ministers from the Kuki community."

Manipur already has a deputy chief minister from the Kuki community.


Chief minister Y Khemchand Singh is in New Delhi to hold a discussion with the central leadership on the cabinet expansion. So far, three of the ten Kuki Zo MLAs - Nemcha Kipgen, LM Khaute and Ngursanglur Sanate - have been involved in the government formation process.

Of the ten Kuki Zo MLAs, seven belong to the BJP, while the remaining three are affiliated with local Kuki Zo organisations. Kipgen, Khaute and Sanate attended the 7th session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly virtually on February 5.

Singh became the 13th chief minister of Manipur on February 4, nearly a year after the resignation of BJP leader N Biren Singh, following months of ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in the state, leading to the imposition of President's Rule. BJP MLA Nemcha Kipgen, who belongs to the Kuki community, and Naga People's Front legislator L Dikho took oath as the deputy chief ministers of Manipur.