21 Manipur NDA MLAs write to Centre seeking ‘popular govt’ in state: ‘Only means to bring peace and normalcy’

The letters were submitted in Delhi on Tuesday. The letters state: “That the people of Manipur welcome the President’s Rule which was imposed with effect from 13th February, 2025 with lots of hopes and expectations. It is going to be almost three months since President’s Rule was imposed but no visible actions to bring peace and normalcy in the state is (sic) seen so far.”

It goes on to cite apprehensions on the recurrence of violence in the state. “Many civil society organizations have come out openly against the imposition of the President’s Rule. They have been demanding installation of a popular government in the state. These organizations have started organizing public rallies, street corner meetings instigating the general public, blaming the Ruling MLAs for not staking claim to form a popular Government and fixing responsibility for imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur. In the light of the above facts and circumstances we feel that installation of a popular government is the only means to bring peace and normalcy in Manipur,” it stated.

President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur on February 13 this year, days after N. Biren Singh resigned as chief minister, largely because of pressure from unhappy BJP colleagues from the Manipur valley. The signatories to these recent letters include the same set of MLAs.

“People are aware that the policies of the former government were totally wrong. It is now almost two years of the conflict and both communities need to sit and talk but no action has been taken towards such a programme. Among the MLAs there is an understanding that the situation is not improving and we need a new government. There has been no progress under President’s Rule… we had expected more to be done under it. Under a new popular government, the MLAs from both sides can talk amongst each other. We will accept any person chosen by the central leaders,” said one of the MLAs who had submitted the letter in Delhi.

Another signatory to the letter called the meeting held in Delhi between Meitei and Kuki-Zo CSOs in Delhi earlier this month “a complete eyewash.”

“That can be a confidence building measure but political decisions cannot be made at that level. Yes, it is true that bullets are not being fired between both sides but that is just a pre-requisite to work on everything else. Till date, no real disarmament has happened, the highways are still not open to all communities everywhere and political dialogue has not started,” said the MLA.

Another signatory said that the NDA MLAs are under increasing pressure from sections of the public over the formation of a government.

“There is a restlessness over the lack of visible action under President’s Rule. Nobody knows what is the vision and what are the steps that are going to be taken, people are in the dark. At the same time, the Union Home Minister said in the Parliament that President’s Rule was only imposed because Biren Singh resigned and no one staked claim to form a government, and not because of law and order issues. This agitated people because how can that be. The BJP and its allies are a huge majority in the assembly so people are questioning why no one would stake claim to form the government. So as MLAs, it is our duty to make these things known to the Centre,” said the MLA.