Manipur's Political Landscape Shifts: 44 MLAs Ready to Form New Government

In a significant political development, 44 MLAs in Manipur have expressed their readiness to form a new government, as announced by BJP legislator Thokchom Radheshyam Singh. This comes amid ongoing protests in the Meitei-inhabited Imphal Valley and rising ethnic tensions following the recent Gwaltabi incident. With the state currently under President's Rule, the political landscape is shifting as the coalition seeks to address the hardships faced by the public. Singh emphasized the urgency for a new government, highlighting the impact of COVID and ongoing conflicts on governance. The situation remains tense as various groups demand accountability and solutions to the ongoing crisis.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 28, 2025, 14:56 IST

Political Developments in Manipur

Imphal: BJP legislator Thokchom Radheshyam Singh announced on Wednesday that a coalition of 44 MLAs is prepared to establish a new government in Manipur following a meeting with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla.

Singh, accompanied by nine other MLAs, visited the Governor at the Raj Bhavan.

"We have informed the Governor that 44 MLAs are ready to form a government reflecting the people's wishes. We also explored potential solutions to the ongoing issues," he stated.

He added, "The Governor acknowledged our discussion and will take steps that serve the public's best interests."

When asked about formally claiming to form a government, Singh mentioned that the BJP's central leadership would make that decision.

"However, expressing our readiness is akin to staking a claim for government formation. Speaker Th Satyabrata has met with the 44 MLAs both individually and collectively, and there is unanimous support for a new government," Singh explained.

"The public is enduring significant hardships. The previous two years were lost to COVID, and this term has seen another two years lost due to conflict," he remarked.

Since February, Manipur has been under President's Rule after BJP leader N Biren Singh stepped down as Chief Minister amid criticism regarding his administration's response to ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities that erupted in May 2023.

Currently, the 60-member assembly has 59 MLAs, with one seat vacant due to a legislator's death. The BJP-led coalition comprises 32 Meitei MLAs, three Manipuri Muslim MLAs, and nine Naga legislators, totaling 44.

The Congress holds five MLAs, all from the Meitei community, while the remaining 10 MLAs are Kukis, with seven having won their seats on a BJP ticket, two from the Kuki Peoples' Alliance, and one being an Independent.

This political development occurs amidst significant protests in the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley, triggered by security forces obscuring the state's name on a government bus's windshield.

Meitei groups are demanding an apology from the Governor for the incident that occurred in Gwaltabi on May 20, along with the resignation of the chief secretary, DGP, and security advisor.

Since the onset of ethnic conflict in May 2023, which has claimed over 250 lives, Meitei groups assert that the state's territorial integrity is non-negotiable in any peace negotiations, while Kuki-Zo factions argue that a separate administration for the hill districts is the only viable solution.

The Gwaltabi incident has heightened tensions that had been easing in recent months due to various measures implemented by the Centre aimed at restoring peace in the region.