A day after President’s rule was established in the northeastern State and the Assembly was placed under suspended animation, all eyes are on the central leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to determine its next move in the conflict-torn state of Manipur.
“Security has been strengthened throughout the State since the announcement of President’s rule by the Center,” officials stated. Days after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned from his position, causing political unrest in the State, Manipur was placed under president’s rule and the Assembly was placed under suspended animation on Thursday night.
The decision came as the BJP failed to build a consensus on a Chief Ministerial candidate, despite having several rounds of discussions between its northeast in-charge Sambit Patra and legislators. The BJP government in Manipur was led by Mr. Singh, who resigned as chief minister following over 21 months of ethnic conflict that has already cost over 250 lives. The Manipur Assembly will be in office until 2027.
On Friday, February 14, 2025, officials declared that security personnel were on high alert in Imphal, the state capital, especially in the vicinity of the CM Secretariat and Raj Bhavan. “The Manipur Police increased delopyment of personnel in Imphal area, especially in front of Kangla Gate, Sanjenthong, Moirangkhom, Keisampat and Konung Mamang,” an officer said. “The precautionary measures were put in place to prevent any unwanted activities by miscreants who want to take advantage of the prevailing political situation,” another official said.
Manipur BJP president A. Sharda told reporters shortly after President’s rule was announced on Thursday, February 13, 2025, that the Assembly had been placed under suspended animation in line with the constitutional procedure and that the House had not yet been dissolved. “The House can be reinstated once the State’s situation improves,” she remarked.
Rahul Gandhi, a Congress politician, responded to the news by calling it a late admission by the BJP of their total incapacity to rule Manipur. “Now, PM Modi can no longer deny his direct responsibility for Manipur,” he said in a post on X. “Has he finally made up his mind to visit the State, and explain to the people of Manipur and India his plan to restore peace and normalcy?” Mr. Gandhi said.
In another post on X, Congress general secretary, Communications, Jairam Ramesh said, “Finally what the Indian National Congress has been demanding for almost 20 months has happened. President’s rule has been imposed in Manipur.” Meanwhile, the Manipur CPI(M) unit said the President’s rule should be immediately revoked and fresh elections held at the earliest.
Ksh Santa, the secretary of the CPI(M) State committee, said reporters that the party and other like-minded parties will defend Manipur’s territorial integrity while the president is in office. He further asserted that the state was in this predicament because of lawmakers’ self-serving desire for power. Ginza Vualzong, the leader of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), stated that the Kuki-Zo community will feel more hopeful under the President’s leadership, but that the appointment of a new Meitei Chief Minister is “far from comforting.” “The Kuki-Zo do not trust the Meitei anymore, so a new Meitei CM is still far from comforting. The President’s rule will give a ray of hope to the Kuki-Zo, and we believe that it will be one step closer to our political solution,” he said.
The Congress further demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologize to the people of the State, claiming that the imposition of President’s rule in Manipur is a clear acknowledgement of the failure of the BJP governments in the State and at the Center.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge claimed in a post on X that Manipur’s constitutional problems necessitated the installation of the president’s authority. “Narendra Modi, For eleven years, your party has held sway in the center. For eight years, Manipur was ruled by your party. The BJP was in charge of upholding law and order in the state. Your government is in charge of border patrol and national security. “You have directly admitted to failing the people of Manipur by imposing President’s rule and suspending the government of YOUR own party,” Mr. Kharge stated.
Mr. Kharge said the government has imposed President’s rule not because it wanted to, but because there is a Constitutional crisis in the State, as none of the NDA MLAs are willing to accept the “baggage of your incompetence”. “Your “Double Engine” ran over the lives of the innocent people of Manipur! High time you now step in Manipur and listen to the pain and trauma of the suffering people and apologise to them. Do you have the courage of conviction?” Mr. Kharge asked. The Congress chief said the people of Manipur will not forgive Prime Minister Modi and his party.
