Manipur: 44 MLAs Unite to Form New Government in Manipur

IMPHAL- In a significant political development, 44 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in Manipur have expressed their readiness to form a new government, as announced by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Thokchom Radheshyam Singh following a meeting with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Wednesday. This move comes amid ongoing ethnic tensions and public unrest in the state, which has been under President’s Rule since February 2025.

The delegation of 10 MLAs, comprising eight from the BJP, one from the National People’s Party (NPP), and one Independent, met the Governor at Raj Bhavan in Imphal to stake their claim for a “popular government.” The coalition, totaling 44 MLAs, includes 32 Meitei MLAs, three Manipuri Muslim MLAs, and nine Naga legislators, representing a broad alliance excluding the five Congress MLAs and 10 Kuki-Zo legislators.

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Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh confirmed that he met all 44 MLAs individually and collectively, noting no opposition to forming the new government.

Manipur has faced significant challenges, including ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023, which led to the resignation of former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh in February 2025.

The imposition of President’s Rule followed due to the inability to form a consensus on a new leader. Singh’s resignation came after mounting criticism over his handling of the ethnic violence, which caused widespread protests and loss of life. The state assembly, with a tenure until 2027, has been in suspended animation since then.

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“People are facing too much hardship. In the previous term, two years were lost due to COVID, and in this term, another two years have been lost due to the conflict,” Thokchom Radheshyam Singh stated, emphasizing the urgency of restoring a popular government to address public grievances.

The move follows a letter from 21 NDA MLAs to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on April 29, urging the formation of a popular government to restore peace and normalcy.

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The announcement coincides with protests in the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley, sparked by security forces obscuring the state’s name on a government bus windshield, highlighting ongoing tensions.

The BJP has ruled out any alliance with the Congress, dismissing earlier speculations as “irresponsible.” The Manipur Legislative Assembly has 60 seats, with one currently vacant due to an MLA’s death.

As Speaker Satyabrata heads to Delhi to further discussions, the development signals a potential end to President’s Rule and a step toward addressing Manipur’s complex socio-political challenges. The formation of a new government is seen as critical to restoring stability in the violence-hit state.