Manipur Set for New Govt, as Ruling Party Elects This Leader For CM Post

After months of political uncertainty, Manipur is set for a new government. The BJP has elected Yumnam Khemchand Singh as the leader of its legislature party, paving the way for him to become the next Chief Minister. The decision comes just days before President’s Rule in the state ends on February 13. Singh’s elevation marks a crucial moment for Manipur, which has been under central rule following prolonged ethnic violence and the resignation of former CM N. Biren Singh.

Who Is New CM Of Manipur?

• Yumnam Khemchand Singh is a 62-year-old senior BJP leader and a two-time MLA from the Singjamei constituency.
• He began his political journey alongside N. Biren Singh in the early 2000s and later joined the BJP in 2013.
• Known as a disciplined party organizer and former taekwondo sportsperson, he served as Speaker of the Manipur Assembly and later as a cabinet minister.
• Over time, he emerged as a key internal critic of the previous leadership, especially during the prolonged crisis in the state.

Yumnam Khemchand Singh’s Government Formation

• The decision to elect Khemchand Singh was taken at a BJP legislature party meeting in New Delhi, chaired by Biren Singh himself.
• With President’s Rule ending on February 13, the Centre aims to install a popular government quickly.
• Sources indicate that the new ministry may include broader representation, including communities affected by the conflict.
• Khemchand Singh is also seen as a trusted RSS-backed leader, giving him organisational support during a sensitive phase of governance and reconciliation.

How Manipur Slid Into Political Collapse

• The current political crisis in Manipur traces back to May 2023, when ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities erupted.
• What followed was not just law-and-order breakdown but a geographical and political split between the Valley and the Hills.
• Large-scale displacement, relief camps, and mutual mistrust eroded public confidence in governance.
• Over time, Chief Minister N Biren Singh came to be seen as ineffective in restoring peace, even within his own party ranks.

Internal Revolt and the Fall of Biren Singh

• As violence continued, pressure on Biren Singh mounted from both opposition and BJP legislators.
• By October 2024, as many as 19 BJP MLAs wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, warning that the Chief Minister had become a political liability.
• The situation worsened when the National People’s Party withdrew support, citing failure to restore normalcy.
• Facing a possible no-confidence motion and internal rebellion, Biren Singh resigned in February 2025, clearing the path for President’s Rule.

Why President’s Rule Was Imposed

• President’s Rule was imposed in February 2025, with the Manipur Assembly placed in suspended animation.
• The Centre viewed it as a temporary stabilizing measure to control violence, manage security, and prevent political chaos.
• While law-and-order conditions marginally improved, political legitimacy suffered. MLAs remained sidelined, and public frustration grew as elected representatives had little role in governance.

Question

Q. Who has been elected leader of the BJP legislature party in Manipur in February 2026?

A. N. Biren Singh
B. Th. Satyabrata Singh
C. Yumnam Khemchand Singh
D. Okram Ibobi Singh