Almost two years since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur, Biren Singh resigned as the chief minister last night, along with his council of ministers. Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla accepted his resignation but has requested him to continue in office “until alternative arrangements are made”.
More than 250 people have been killed and thousands displaced in the ethnic violence between Kukis and Meiteis since May 2023. Despite the opposition’s long-standing demand for his resignation, Singh had remained in office till now.
Since there is no leader yet who enjoys the support of a majority of party MLAs, the Union government may have to impose President’s Rule in Manipur.
Why did Biren Singh resign as Manipur CM?
Though the BJP has denied reports of rumblings in its state unit, reports suggest that several MLAs had met party leaders in the national capital to express their reservations on Singh continuing as the CM.
His decision to step down came hours after he returned from Delhi after meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The party’s central leadership has been keen to broker peace between the Kukis and Meiteis, and the appointment of former home secretary Bhalla as the state's governor in December was a step in this direction. The top leadership reportedly hopes that Singh’s resignation will speed up the process to bridge the divide between the communities and convey the Union government’s commitment to a permanent solution to the ethnic strife.
Also, earlier this week, the Supreme Court has sought a report from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) on the authenticity of leaked audio clips alleging the role of Singh in the ethnic violence. The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR), represented by advocate Prashant Bhushan, has sough a court-monitored SIT probe into the matter. Referring to the audio leaks, Bhushan said that in the clips, Singh was purportedly saying that Meitei groups were allowed to loot arms and ammunition of the state government.
Who will be the next Manipur chief minister?
With Singh finally tendering his resignation, all eyes are now on who will the party pick as the next Manipur CM. Though President’s Rule seems likely at the moment, a BJP MLA told The Indian Express that it will show the party in poor light since it has “complete majority”, with 32 legislators of the 60 in the assembly, and the NPF and NPP – BJP’s allies – having 12 MLAs.
Among the frontrunners for the CM’s post are Manipur Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh and Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Yumnam Khemchand. Both were called to Delhi ahead of Singh’s resignation.
Khemchand had been vocal about Singh’s handling of the ethnic strife, and had skipped a meeting of the BJP MLAs called by Singh in November. In 2022, when the party won the state elections, Khemchand, who has the backing of the RSS, was a contender for the CM’s post, before Singh was sworn in.
Another strong contender is T. Biswajit Singh, a senior cabinet minister.
