Two days after N Biren Singh resigned as Manipur chief minister, the political future of the state remained uncertained on Tuesday as the BJP’s Northeast coordinator Sambit Patra continued to hold meetings with senior leaders.
After marathon meetings with senior BJP MLAs in the state in Imphal on Monday, Patra continued these on Tuesday. He also met MLAs of NDA allies, the Naga People’s Front and the National People’s Party.
With the BJP in Manipur having been deeply divided among critics of Biren Singh and those who had backed him, combined with the ethnic polarisation in the state, the party is said to be working to build a consensus on a CM candidate.
On Tuesday evening, Patra and Manipur BJP president A Sharda Devi, along with some MLAs, visited Raj Bhavan to meet Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla.
Manipur’s governance continues to be in an uncertain situation. Biren Singh continues to be the caretaker CM while the Manipur Legislative Assembly is yet to be convened after Governor Bhalla nixed the Budget Session, which had been scheduled to begin on February 10.
“As per our understanding, there will be a popular government at the earliest possible time. But the decision will not be taken in Imphal. There have been consensus building meetings here. The decision on the next course of action will be taken be the Centre after PM Modi returns from his US visit,” said an MLA.
The Congress has criticised the government for the unresolved situation, with six months between two sessions of the Manipur Legislative Assembly set to lapse on Wednesday.
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“Today is the last day for a constitutionally mandated sitting of the Manipur Legislative Assembly’s session. Article 174 (1) of the Constitution of India stipulates that there cannot be more than a six-month gap between the last sitting of an Assembly session and the first sitting of the next Assembly session. Why is the Manipur Governor violating Article 174(1) by not summoning the Manipur Legislative Assembly for its constitutionally mandated assembly session? The session was declared null and void because the BJP could not appoint a successor to the CM against whom the Congress was scheduled to move a no-confidence motion and who was forced to resign on Sunday night,” said All India Congress Committee spokesperson Jairam Ramesh.
Sukrita Baruah is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Guwahati. From this strategic hub, she provides comprehensive, ground-level coverage of India's North East, a region characterized by its complex ethnic diversity, geopolitical significance, and unique developmental challenges.
Expertise and Experience
Ethnic & Social Dynamics: Deep-dive coverage of regional conflicts (such as the crisis in Manipur) and peace-building efforts.
Border & Geopolitics: Tracking developments along India’s international borders and their impact on local communities.
Governance & Policy: Reporting on state elections, tribal council decisions, and the implementation of central schemes in the North East.
Specialized Education Background: Prior to her current role, Sukrita was a dedicated Education Correspondent for The Indian Express in Delhi. This experience provided her with a sharp analytical lens for:
Policy Analysis: Evaluating the National Education Policy (NEP) and university-level reforms.
Student Affairs: Covering high-stakes stories regarding campus politics, national entrance exams, and the challenges within the primary and secondary education sectors. ... Read More
