Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Feb 10: Even as the BJP’s central leadership is learnt to be weighing the options for naming the next chief minister of Manipur to succeed Mr N Biren Singh who resigned on Sunday after failing to contain the internal strife for the last 21 months, the dominant Kuki-Zo community of tribals have demanded imposition of the president’s rule in the state instead of another BJP government.
Mr N Biren Singh, who submitted his resignation to the governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, has been asked to continue as the caretaker chief minister till an alternative arrangement was made.
The BJP sources said if no political leader comes forward with a clear claim to form the government, the central government may explore the option to impose the President’s Rule in the state. They added that the ruling BJP is considering the formation of a new government through new alliance partners, including the Janata Dal (United) and the National People’s Party (NPP).
President’s Rule, if imposed, would require approval from the Union Cabinet and must be ratified within two months by both Houses of Parliament. Additionally, the President’s Rule would need to be renewed within six months and can only continue for three years.
The BJP holds 32 seats in the Manipur Assembly, with support from five Naga People’s Front legislators and six JD(U) members, ensuring a comfortable majority despite the withdrawal of support from ally Conrad Sangma’s NPP.
Speculation arose that MLAs pushing for a leadership change could defy the party whip in a floor test. The Congress has five seats, the NPP seven, with three Independent MLAs and two from the Kuki People’s Alliance. However, BJP’s Manipur unit chief Sharda Devi clarified saying that there were no differences between the legislators.
Manipur has been facing ethnic violence since May 2023, which has claimed over 250 lives and left thousands homeless. The BJP government has come under scrutiny for its management of the crisis.
Ng Lun Kipgen, the spokesperson of the Committee on Tribal Unity, an umbrella group of Kuki-Zo organisations based in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district, said Mr Biren Singh’s resignation at this late stage would not amount to much in terms of accountability for the conflict, and that the Centre should show “sincerity to reinstall democratic institutions.”
“The Kuki-Zo community was demanding that Biren Singh be held accountable and that constitutional norms be maintained. After witnessing the conflict for the past 21 months, we feel that it is not only the Chief Minister… other representatives from the Valley are not that different. What we fear is the mindset, the fascism that has been incorporated in minds. We have not seen any of the 40 elected representatives (MLAs) from the Valley stand up and say that what has happened to the Kuki-Zo community is wrong,” he said.
“We do not think it is important that Biren Singh has submitted his resignation… What is important is that the Centre is sincere enough to reinstall democratic institutions…
For the Kuki-Zo people who have moved away from Imphal — there is a geographical and physical division that has formed — the only solution is a separate political administration for our community…
“The simple fact is the hatred incited within… This conflict is not only about the Kukis and Meiteis but a State institution that is centred around the Meiteis. This institution makes it impossible for the Kuki-Zos to be under it.
The timing coincides with what the Opposition and some of the dissident BJP MLAs were planning to do. And there is the Supreme Court hearing with regard to the audio tapes in which Biren Singh can be heard talking about his role in the conflict.
“I feel the Centre is unable to shield Mr Biren Singh anymore and this is the only way out. In fact, in his statement on the audio tapes, he is also implicating the Centre. So, he has been requested to resign.
“President’s Rule must be imposed. Initially, we demanded the CM’s resignation and accountability. As the months have passed, it is not just about Biren. It is about the 40 MLAs that have subscribed to this narrative. Another Chief Minister from among the MLAs (who could now be chosen) will be another person from the majority community. So, President’s Rule needs to be there. At least, the State that has been militarized can be contained by Central security forces,” Mr Kipgen said.
