Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Sunday revoked the upcoming Manipur Assembly session, which was scheduled to begin on February 10, just hours after Chief Minister N Biren Singh submitted his resignation. The decision came amidst growing political turmoil in the state, as the BJP-led government faced the looming threat of a no-confidence motion and a floor test initiated by the Congress-led Opposition. The sudden cancellation of the Assembly session has added another layer of uncertainty to the already fragile political climate in Manipur, where tensions have been simmering for nearly two years due to ethnic violence and governance challenges.
In an official notice, the Governor declared that the previous order issued on January 24, which had set the Assembly session for February 10, was now "null and void." The abrupt nature of this decision has sparked speculation about the BJP's internal strategy and whether the party leadership is working to secure a smooth transition of power without the embarrassment of a no-confidence motion. Many political observers believe that Singh’s resignation was a preemptive move orchestrated to prevent an open political battle in the Assembly, which could have further destabilized the BJP’s hold over the state.
Biren Singh, who led the BJP government in Manipur since 2017, stepped down from his position on Sunday. Submitting his resignation to the Governor at Raj Bhavan, he expressed his gratitude to the central government for its support during his tenure. "It has been an honour to serve the people of Manipur thus far. I am extremely grateful to the central government for its timely actions, interventions, developmental work, and implementation of various projects for safeguarding the interests of every single Manipuri," Singh wrote in his resignation letter. He was accompanied by senior BJP leaders and party MLAs during the submission, a move seen as an attempt to project unity within the party despite the growing crisis.
Reacting to Singh’s resignation, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi attributed the move to "mounting public pressure" and the fear of a no-confidence motion, stating that the situation had finally forced accountability upon the BJP leadership. In a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gandhi accused the BJP government of allowing Singh to "instigate division" in Manipur despite the prolonged violence and loss of lives. "For nearly two years, BJP's CM Biren Singh instigated division in Manipur. PM Modi allowed him to continue despite the violence, loss of life, and the destruction of the idea of India in Manipur," Gandhi said.
The Congress leader also underscored the urgent need to restore peace in the troubled state, asserting that the Prime Minister could no longer afford to remain a mere spectator. He renewed his party’s demand for Modi to personally visit Manipur and address the ongoing crisis. "PM Modi must visit Manipur at once, listen to the people, and finally explain his plan to bring back normalcy," he stated. Gandhi's remarks highlight the growing frustration among the Opposition over what they perceive as the BJP’s failure to adequately address the crisis in Manipur, which has seen repeated outbreaks of ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities, displacements, and loss of lives.
Congress’s Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh also weighed in on Singh’s departure, calling it a "belated" decision. Ramesh reminded that the Congress had been demanding Singh’s removal since May 2023, when ethnic violence first erupted in Manipur. He further confirmed that the Congress was prepared to move a no-confidence motion against the BJP government before Singh's resignation derailed the planned floor test.
"Sensing the climate, the Manipur CM has just resigned. This was a demand that the Congress has been making since early May 2023, when Manipur erupted," Ramesh stated. He also took a swipe at the Prime Minister for failing to visit the state, sarcastically referring to him as a "Frequent Flier PM" who seemed to prioritize international visits over domestic crises. "The people of Manipur now await a visit by our Frequent Flier PM, who is off to France and the USA now. He has found neither the time nor the inclination to go to Manipur these past twenty months," he remarked.
The Congress has consistently criticized the BJP’s handling of the crisis in Manipur, accusing the ruling party of failing to take decisive action to curb the violence and ensure the safety of the state's citizens. Singh’s resignation, though seen as a step toward resolving the crisis, does not necessarily mean that stability will return to Manipur immediately. The political vacuum left by his departure now raises questions about who will be chosen as his successor and whether the BJP can restore public confidence in its leadership in the state.
Biren Singh’s resignation followed a crucial meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, where discussions reportedly centered around the political situation in Manipur and the BJP’s future course of action. After meeting with Shah, Singh returned to Manipur and made the decision to step down, marking a significant shift in the state's political landscape. His exit signals that the BJP leadership is preparing for a new phase in Manipur’s governance, possibly with a fresh face at the helm.
The BJP is now expected to deliberate on Singh’s successor, with several names being speculated as potential replacements. Given the ongoing ethnic conflict and deep-seated grievances among various communities, the party will need to tread carefully in selecting the next Chief Minister. The new leader will face the formidable challenge of not only restoring political stability but also ensuring peace and reconciliation between the warring groups in the state.
As the political drama unfolds, Manipur remains on edge, with many residents hoping for a leadership change that will bring tangible solutions rather than just political maneuvering. The state has endured months of turmoil, with thousands displaced due to violence and the social fabric severely damaged. Whether Singh’s resignation marks a turning point for Manipur or merely a temporary shift in power remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear: the next few weeks will be crucial in determining the state’s political and social future.
