The political crisis in Manipur has deepened with the imposition of President’s Rule following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh and the lack of consensus on his successor. Even after three days of deliberations, the BJP leadership has been unable to finalize a replacement, leaving the northeastern state in a state of administrative uncertainty. The crisis comes at a critical juncture, as Article 174(1) of the Constitution mandates that the Manipur Assembly must convene within six months of its last sitting—held on August 12, 2024. With the deadline set for Wednesday, the lack of a functioning government has forced the imposition of central rule.
Singh’s resignation, submitted just a day before his government was set to face a no-confidence motion and a crucial floor test, has been widely interpreted as a strategic move to avoid a political confrontation. His decision comes nearly two years after ethnic violence erupted in May 2023, exacerbating tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities. Singh, who had been under immense pressure from both the opposition and sections of his own party, finally stepped down amid renewed calls for accountability.
The Congress has strongly criticized Singh’s exit, accusing the BJP of prioritizing political survival over the well-being of Manipur’s people. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi called the resignation "long overdue," while Gaurav Gogoi, Congress's deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, alleged that the BJP lacks a concrete roadmap for restoring peace in the violence-torn state. The opposition has also pointed to the timing of Singh’s resignation, which came just days after the Supreme Court sought a sealed-cover forensic report on the authenticity of leaked audio clips allegedly implicating him in the ethnic violence.
The tapes, which reportedly contain conversations suggesting that Meitei groups were allowed to loot arms and ammunition from government sources during the clashes, have added to the controversy surrounding Singh. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi cited the Supreme Court’s investigation as a key reason behind the former chief minister’s decision to step down. "The resignation of CM Biren Singh shows that mounting public pressure, the Supreme Court investigation, and the no-confidence motion by the Congress have forced a reckoning," Gandhi said, calling for further accountability from the BJP.
Meanwhile, with no immediate resolution in sight, Manipur remains under the President’s Rule, heightening concerns over governance and security in the already volatile state. The prolonged leadership vacuum raises questions about the BJP’s internal dynamics and its ability to stabilize Manipur as the ethnic conflict remains unresolved. Political observers suggest that the central leadership’s indecisiveness in appointing a successor could further weaken the party’s standing in the region ahead of upcoming elections.
