Manipur government formation: BJP MLAs called to delhi for crucial meeting

The BJP leadership has asked NDA MLAs from Manipur to reach New Delhi for a meeting Monday amid ongoing discussions about the formation of a regular government in the state, which has been under President’s rule since February 13 last year.

“We are asked to reach on February 2, and there will be discussion on the restoration of a popular government in the state. President's rule is completing one year and there must be some decision on the government formation,” a senior BJP leader told ET on the condition of anonymity.

“Invitations were sent through Manipur pradesh BJP President A Sarda Devi as well as directly to the MLAs,” he said.

The BJP has 37 members in the 60-member Manipur assembly, while the National People’s Party has six and Naga People’s Front five. The Congress also has five MLAs, the Kuki People’s Alliance has two and the JD(U) one. There are also three independents, and one seat is vacant. The NPP, NPF, JD(U) and the three independents are BJP’s partners in the NDA.

Ten Kuki-Zo tribal MLAs, including seven of the BJP, along with all the leading organisations of the community, have been demanding a separate administration or a union territory for the tribals in Manipur. They had stayed away from attending assembly sessions after ethnic violence broke out on May 3, 2023.

On August 6, 2023, the Kuki People’s Alliance announced withdrawal of support from the N Biren Singh government.
The current Manipur assembly, which has been under suspended animation since the state came under President’s rule, has tenure till 2027.

On December 15 last year, the BJP leadership had a couple of rounds of discussion with BJP MLAs of the state.
BJP MLAs from the Kuki and Meitei communities for the first time since the violence broke out sat together in the discussion with the party’s leadership. Thirty-four of the 37 BJP MLAs attended that meeting.

Former chief minister Biren Singh is one of the strongest contenders for the chief ministerial post if a regular government is restored, said a senior leader. Other contenders included assembly speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh and former minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, a senior BJP leader told ET after that meeting.