Manipur's President's Rule Lifted Ahead of New Government Formation

The President's rule in Manipur has been lifted, enabling the formation of a new government led by Y Khemchand Singh. This significant political shift follows a period of central rule imposed after ethnic violence. The new administration is set to include key leaders from the Kuki community, indicating a broader political coalition. As the state prepares for Singh's swearing-in ceremony, the implications of this change are being closely watched. The BJP and its allies are poised to take charge, marking a new chapter in Manipur's governance.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 4, 2026, 18:28 IST

Revocation of President's Rule in Manipur

Guwahati, Feb 4: The President's rule in Manipur was officially lifted on Wednesday, paving the way for the establishment of a new state government under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Y Khemchand Singh is poised to take the oath as the Chief Minister.

In a proclamation, President Droupadi Murmu stated, “In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (2) of Article 356 of the Constitution, I hereby revoke the Proclamation issued under the said article on February 13, 2025, concerning the State of Manipur, effective from February 4, 2026.”

This decision was made just before Singh's swearing-in ceremony, which is set for 6 pm at Lok Bhavan in Imphal. Senior BJP figure and former minister Nemcha Kipgen, a notable leader from the Kuki community, is expected to be appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister in the upcoming administration.

Since February 13, 2025, Manipur had been under President's rule, with the 60-member Assembly in a state of suspended animation, despite its term extending until 2027.

The central government imposed this rule after the resignation of the BJP-led government, led by N Biren Singh, on February 9 last year, following extensive ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki groups.

Earlier on Wednesday, an NDA delegation, headed by Singh, met with Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the Governor of Manipur, at Lok Bhavan to formally claim the formation of a popular government.

Significantly, the delegation included two MLAs from the Kuki-Zo majority areas of Churachandpur and Pherzawl, indicating a wider inclusion in the new political framework.

The BJP legislature party in Manipur selected the 62-year-old Singh as its leader during a meeting at the party's headquarters in Imphal on Tuesday, attended by 35 of the 37 BJP MLAs, along with central observer Tarun Chugh, BJP Northeast in-charge Sambit Patra, and state BJP president A Sharda Devi. The two absent MLAs were reported to be unwell.

Following this, a joint meeting of NDA members took place at Manipur Bhavan, with BJP legislators and MLAs from allied parties—six from the National People’s Party (NPP), five from the Naga People’s Front (NPF), and three Independents—unanimously endorsing Singh as the leader of the NDA legislature party and Kipgen as the deputy leader.