Immediate Revocation of President's Rule in Manipur Announced
In a significant political development, the Ministry of Home Affairs has lifted President's Rule in Manipur, effective immediately. This decision follows the appointment of Yumkham Khemchand Singh as the new Chief Minister, with a swearing-in ceremony scheduled soon. The revocation comes after a period of instability marked by ethnic violence and political turmoil. President Droupadi Murmu's earlier declaration of President's Rule was based on a report from the state governor regarding the breakdown of constitutional governance. As the state transitions to new leadership, the political landscape in Manipur is set for changes.
| Feb 4, 2026, 16:39 IST
Revocation of President's Rule in Manipur
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification on Tuesday, lifting the President's Rule in Manipur with immediate effect. According to a proclamation published in the Extraordinary Gazette of India, President Droupadi Murmu has revoked the declaration made under Article 356(2) concerning the state of Manipur. The previous declaration was issued on February 13, 2025. The new proclamation, signed by the President on Wednesday (February 4, 2026), states that the President's Rule in Manipur has been withdrawn.
The proclamation states that exercising the powers conferred by Clause (2) of Article 356, I, Droupadi Murmu, President of India, hereby revoke the declaration issued by me concerning the state of Manipur on February 13, 2025, effective from February 4, 2026. This action follows the Bharatiya Janata Party's announcement on Tuesday, designating two-time MLA Yumkham Khemchand Singh as the leader of the legislative party in the troubled state and naming him the next Chief Minister. The decision was made during a meeting of party legislators at the BJP headquarters, with the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Tuesday.
Singh will have two deputy chief ministers, one from the Kuki-Zo community and the other from the Naga community. Nemba Kipgen, the MLA from Kangpokpi, has been appointed as a deputy chief minister. The coalition partner, the Naga People's Front, is expected to announce the name of the Naga deputy chief minister soon. The 62-year-old Khemchand Singh is a member of the Meitei community and an engineer by profession. He previously served as the Minister of Municipal Administration in the former Biren Singh government and was considered a contender for the Chief Minister position in 2022.
President Droupadi Murmu had imposed President's Rule in Manipur last year on February 13, following a report from the state governor citing a breakdown of constitutional governance. This decision came shortly after N. Biren Singh resigned from the Chief Minister's position on February 9, 2025, amid nearly two years of ethnic violence and political instability in the state.