Centre unlikely to revoke President’s Rule in Manipur, BJP suggests MLAs paid ‘courtesy visit’ to Governor

“Neither the national leadership of the BJP nor the Central government wants government formation as of now. The possibility of this is bleak,” said a senior leader familiar with the developments in the state.

On Wednesday, 10 MLAs met Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla claiming support of over 40 legislators to stake claim to form the government. President’s Rule was invoked in the state in February, almost two years after the state ruled by the BJP descended into ethnic conflict.

Later, BJP leaders stressed that it was only a courtesy visit. A leader frpm the state told The Indian Express: “In the BJP, there is a culture of discipline. The central leadership decides who will lead the party. We have to follow that.”

A source said the BJP central leadership is conscious of the sentiments of the MLAs who have been seeking a “popular” government and resumption of the Assembly that is in suspended animation, and would reach out to them. “The top leadership is expected to intervene and talk to the legislators. The leadership understands the frustration of the MLAs,” a BJP office-bearer said.

The peace process in the state is slow-moving, with Manipur seeing a fresh round of protests in recent days, and the Centre is wary of both the hiccups involved as well as the sensitive border situation.

Over the past three months of President’s Rule, the Centre has initiated a series of measures such as calls to different groups to surrender looted weapons. Union Home Minister Amit Shah set a deadline of March 8 for resumption of uninterrupted mobility between the Meitei and Kuki areas, though that has run into problems.

But, despite the lukewarm response of Kuki organisations, which have claimed they are not being involved in the talks, the Centre is confident that it is “on the right track”. “In fact, a government in the state could create more troubles for the Centre and its efforts,” the senior BJP leader familiar with the developments said.

A BJP leader said: “Even all the weapons have not been surrendered yet. There are perhaps 3,000 firearms still out there.”

BJP leaders also point out that there is little guarantee that the MLAs who have apparently come together to stake claim to form a government would be able to keep their differences aside, particularly given the ethnic divisions. The first hurdle, for example, would be the choice of chief minister. “We do not see a possibility of unanimity,” said a source.

The other big hurdle would be N Biren Singh, who was the CM under whom the conflict started and who was in the post till President’s Rule was imposed, despite many calls to replace him. A leader pointed out that the main demand of the Kukis is that Biren be kept out. “So how can we have a government with his involvement?” said the leader.

Party sources pointed out that there had been multiple rounds of discussions over a replacement for Biren earlier too, with a number of MLAs shuttling between Imphal and New Delhi. However, a consensus could not be reached, finally leading to Biren’s resignation on February 9 ahead of the imposition of President’s Rule.

With inputs by Vikas Pathak, Jatin Anand