By Dr. Gyan Pathak
The President of India was obliged to impose President’s Rule in Manipur on February 13, 2025, for the 11th time in the last 57 years. It is in itself a manifestation of the political uncertainties under which the strife-torn Manipur has been suffering. President’s Rule has been generally welcomed in the state in the present circumstances, but only as a step towards realizing the hope of facilitating the political solution to the ethnic violence, under which the state has been reeling under since May 2023 claiming at least 250 lives while displacing about 60,000 people. Nevertheless, the complexity of the situation, has divided various pressure groups having diverse aspirations.
Immediate background of imposition of the President’s Rule shows the complexity. Governor of Manipur had convened the Legislative Assembly session to begin on February 10, but Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned a day before on February 9. His resignation came hours before the Congress was set to table a no-confidence motion, and there were reports that the 7 BJP MLAs from the Kuki-Zo community would vote against the N Biren Singh government. The KPA and NPP having 2 and 6 MLAs respectively had already withdrawn support from the government. It has been also reported that within the BJP also, several MLAs were against CM N Biren Singh. Just to avoid greater humiliation in the Legislative Assembly, BJP has orchestrated resignation of CM N Biren Singh.
Moreover, as per the Constitution of India, there can’t be a gap of more than six months between the two assembly sessions, and February 11 was the last date. Resignation orchestrated by the BJP, then the Governor delayed the constitutionally mandated session, presumably to give BJP a chance of finding it new Chief Minister. Then came Manipur governor’s decision to issue an order of making the assembly session “null and void” which the Congress called a blatant violation of the Constitution.
Though the BJP could avoid the impending humiliation, it could not find a new Chief Minister though BJP has 37 MLA, including the 5 from JD(U) who have switched over to BJP, increasing its strength from 32 that the party had won in 2022 in the 60-member House. Due to death of an MLA, the present strength of the Vidhan Sabha is 59.BJP spokesperson and political in-charge of North-East has had a series of talks with BJP MLAs, but failed to find any leader for CM post, since BJP is currently a divided house. He met Governor of Manipur, who in turn submitted a report on the basis of which President’s rule was imposed on the fourth day after resignation of N Biren Singh.
What was the problem in finding a Chief Minister the BJP was facing? It has been already reported that Kuki-Zo MLAs within BJP were not only against N Biren Singh, but also any other Chief Minister from Meitei community. Even different groups among BJP MLAs did not agree on any proposed names. It compelled the BJP leadership to put Manipur under President’s Rule and the State Legislative Assembly on suspended animation.
It is but only one narrative of the political crisis in Manipur, the solution of which is not seen coming in the near future, though the BJP has bought some time. There are much serious issues beneath this surface level political acrobatics.
One of the underlining issues has been given voice by the President of the All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation, Ph. Nando Luwang. He said that the imposition of President’s Rule or keeping the State Assembly in suspended animation would not make any difference the to people of the state at this juncture. He has threatened, “We will not remain passive if there is any threat to Manipur’s territorial integrity.”
Manipur CPI(M) unit said that the President’s Rule should immediately be revoked and fresh election held at the earliest. It also said that they would stand, along with other like-minded ones, for Manipur’s territorial integrity during President’s Rule.
Is there really a threat to Manipur’s territorial integrity? No one known the mind of BJP leadership – especially Union Minister of Home Amit Shah and PM Narendra Modi, therefore we can’t say with certainty where Manipur is leading to.
It should be noted that there has been a demand for a separate administration by the Kuki-Zo organisations. Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) has said that President’s Rule will give a ray of hope to the Kuki-Zo community. ITLF leaders have asserted that having a new Meitei Chief Minister is “far from comforting”. ITLF leader Ginza Vualzong has said that they believed President’s Rule would be one step closer to our political solution.
In the meantime, security has been beefed up across the state following the President’s Rule. Security forces are put on high alert and heavy security has been deployed, said an official of Union Ministry of Home in New Delhi to prevent any unwanted activities by miscreants who want to take advantage of the prevailing political situation. Manipur Legislative Assembly is currently suspended animation, and its term will expire in February 2027.
In the power corridor of New Delhi, there is a buzz that the Union Government will utilize the President’s Rule to help create a neutral setting for talks between Meitei and Kuzi-Zo leaders to sort out issues for lasting peace, since Kuki-Zo leaders have been resisting sitting across the table with CM N Biren Singh. However, the final decision rests on Modi-Shah duo, and all eyes are looking towards them. (IPA Service)
Qualified Welcome For President’s Rule In Manipur 