Manipur BJP chief, Biren Singh in Delhi to discuss govt formation

Guwahati: Former Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh and BJP president Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi Friday rushed to New Delhi where they are expected to hold talks with party central leaders in a fresh push for the restoration of a regular government in the state.

Manipur has been under President's rule since February 13, 2025. "(Central) leaders will have discussions with the former CM and party president," a senior BJP leader said on the condition of anonymity. "The state is returning to normalcy, and efforts are being made to install a popular government." Kuki Zo groups have recently agreed to join the government, provided they get in writing that a negotiated political settlement for a Union territory with legislature under the Constitution will be provided to them. A meeting was held last Tuesday in Guwahati where the United People's Front and the Kuki National Organisation, as well as five MLAs and representatives of the Kuki-Zo Council and a civil society group participated.

On December 15, the BJP leadership held a couple of rounds of discussion with party MLAs of the state. BJP MLAs from the Kuki and Meitei communities, for the first time since ethnic violence broke out on in May 2023, sat together in the discussion with the party's leadership.


Out of BJP's 37 MLAs in the 60-member assembly, 34 attended the meeting, including speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh and former chief minister Biren Singh. Among the seven BJP MLAs from the Kuki community, Nemcha Kipgen, Ngursanglur Sanate, LM Khaute and Letzamang Haokip participated in the discussions. Three Kuki BJP MLAs-Letpao Haokip, Paolienlal Haokip and Vungzagin Valte-were absent due to what were described as unavoidable reasons.

Biren Singh remains one of the strongest contenders for theCM post, a senior BJP leader told ET, asking not to be named. "There are two distinct camps, one backing Singh's return and another siding with assembly speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh".