BJP brings Manipur’s Meitei, Kuki MLAs together to explore the way forward: What was discussed at Delhi meeting

In a brief statement, the party said, “The BJP Manipur Legislature Party meeting was held today at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, in the presence of BJP national general secretary (organisation) Shri B L Santhosh ji and Northeast coordinator Shri Sambit Patra ji. The discussion centred on the peace and progress of Manipur.”

Sources, however, said the discussions went beyond the formal messaging, with a focus on addressing internal differences within the state unit and ensuring direct engagement between the party’s Meitei and Kuki MLAs, a prerequisite, leaders believe, for any credible move towards government formation.

“The positive thing was that both Meitei and Kuki MLAs of the party were present under one roof. There were discussions on issues concerning the party and the situation in Manipur. The issue of government formation will be taken up after issues within the party are sorted out. More such meetings are likely to happen,” a BJP leader said.

The meeting comes against the backdrop of sustained pressure from Manipur’s BJP legislators to replace President’s Rule with an elected government.

On Friday, former Chief Minister N Biren Singh had said the party leadership in Delhi had summoned BJP MLAs from the state but the agenda was not formally communicated. “The party leadership in Delhi has summoned all the BJP MLAs to discuss the situation of Manipur. However, we are not made clear on the actual agenda of the meeting. I firmly believe that the reinstallation of a popular government could be on the agenda. Most of us are going, and let’s pray about bringing a popular government,” Singh said in Imphal on the sidelines of the 86th Nupi Lan.

President’s Rule

Central BJP leaders have earlier indicated that the party is not keen on repeatedly extending President’s Rule. “How many times can we seek an extension? Since the Assembly was kept in suspended animation, it was always clear that the party wants to see an elected government in Manipur,” said a leader, while adding that the chances of Biren Singh returning as Chief Minister were “bleak”.

Another senior leader in Delhi has said, “A semblance of normalcy has been established in the state. Regular meetings with MLAs are also a sign of normalcy. As far as the issue of government formation is concerned, sooner or later, a popular government has to replace the President’s Rule. That is the right thing to do. Also, after one year of President’s Rule, government formation kind of becomes a constitutional obligation.”

President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur in February 2025 amid the ethnic conflict that has claimed over 250 lives since May 2023, and was extended by six months in August. While the Constitution allows President’s Rule to continue for up to three years with parliamentary approval every six months, extension beyond one year requires a national emergency and certification by the Election Commission that elections cannot be held — conditions that are difficult to meet.

“While the Centre can extend President’s Rule up to three years, it is not easy. There have to be cogent reasons for the same. But eventually it is a decision that top central leadership has to take,” said another senior BJP leader.

Although the BJP has 37 MLAs in the 60-member Assembly, forming a government remains challenging. The party’s state unit is fractured along multiple fault lines, including leadership rivalries and deep community divisions. A group of leaders close to former Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh has openly challenged the authority of Biren Singh, while around 10 Kuki MLAs, several of them from the BJP, have stayed aloof from government-formation talks amid pressure from Kuki organisations demanding a separate administration.

With the Assembly’s tenure running till March 2027, BJP legislators fear that delaying the formation of a popular government could erode their credibility ahead of the next elections. Sunday’s meeting, party leaders say, is an attempt to begin the difficult process of reconciliation and consensus-building needed before any formal move towards restoring an elected government in Manipur.