The Janata Dal (United) has issued a firm clarification, emphasizing that it continues to support the N Biren Singh-led BJP government in Manipur, dismissing claims of withdrawing support as entirely "baseless" and unfounded. The party has also taken decisive action by removing its Manipur unit president, Kshetrimayum Biren Singh, from his position for what it described as an act of indiscipline. The decision follows his unauthorized issuance of a letter to the Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, in which he reiterated the alleged withdrawal of support without consulting the JD(U)'s central leadership. The party’s leadership has stated that this action was taken independently by the state unit and is not reflective of the JD(U)'s official stance. The central leadership reaffirmed its alliance with the BJP at both the state and national levels, highlighting its commitment to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and to the people of Manipur.
National spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad addressed the controversy, calling the letter misleading and reiterating that the central leadership was neither consulted nor informed about the state unit’s actions. “The party has taken cognizance of this and has relieved the Manipur unit president of his position. The JD(U) has supported the NDA government, and this support will continue in the future. The state unit acted without proper communication with the central leadership, and we cannot tolerate such indiscipline,” Prasad stated. He further assured that the JD(U) remains committed to its alliance with the BJP, adding, “The state unit will continue working for the development of Manipur under the guidance of the NDA leadership.”
The controversy erupted after Kshetrimayum Biren Singh’s letter claimed that the JD(U) was reaffirming its withdrawal of support from the BJP government in Manipur. The letter also stated that the party’s lone MLA in the Manipur Assembly, Md Abdul Nasir, would move to the Opposition benches. This declaration was reportedly linked to the defection of five out of six JD(U) MLAs to the BJP following the 2022 Manipur Assembly elections, an event that had created tensions within the party. The letter also alluded to the JD(U)’s earlier association with the INDIA bloc, a coalition of opposition parties, further fueling speculation about the party’s intentions.
However, the JD(U) leadership acted swiftly to counter any misunderstandings. By taking disciplinary measures against Kshetrimayum Biren Singh, the party has sent a strong message about the importance of adhering to the directives of the central leadership. The JD(U) has firmly stated that its alliance with the BJP remains intact, both in Manipur and at the national level, and that it is committed to contributing to the development of the state under the leadership of the BJP.
Meanwhile, the BJP remains unshaken by the incident, maintaining a comfortable majority in the 60-member Manipur Assembly. With 37 legislators, the BJP’s position is further strengthened by the support of five Naga People's Front MLAs and three Independents. This ensures that the BJP-led government continues to enjoy a stable majority, regardless of the confusion caused by the JD(U) state unit’s claims.
The development also drew comparisons to last year’s decision by the Conrad Sangma-led National People's Party (NPP) to withdraw support from the BJP government in Manipur. However, the JD(U)’s central leadership has distanced itself from any parallels, firmly stating that its alliance with the BJP is solid and unaffected by internal discord within its state unit. The party’s leadership emphasized that such unauthorized actions are isolated incidents and do not represent its broader political strategy or commitment to its allies.
The swift resolution of this controversy underscores the JD(U)’s intent to uphold political stability in Manipur and strengthen its partnership with the BJP. By reaffirming its loyalty to the NDA and taking immediate corrective measures, the party has demonstrated its resolve to prioritize governance and development over internal discord. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges regional parties face in maintaining alignment between state and central units, especially in a politically sensitive and dynamic region like Manipur.
The JD(U)’s decision to address the issue publicly and take disciplinary action also sends a clear signal about its commitment to organizational discipline and its alliance with the BJP. As the political landscape in Manipur continues to evolve, the focus now shifts to the implementation of developmental initiatives and governance, with the JD(U) and BJP working in tandem to serve the people of the state. The incident, while momentarily unsettling, is unlikely to have any long-term impact on the stability of the BJP-led government in Manipur or the broader NDA coalition.
