Manipur politics uncertain, BJP undecided on leader.
The Governor of Manipur has officially declared the seventh session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, which was scheduled to commence on February 10, as null and void. This unexpected decision has created uncertainty regarding the state’s legislative process and raised questions about the political situation in Manipur. The session was anticipated to address crucial matters concerning governance and ongoing developments in the state. However, with the session now invalidated, political leaders are left grappling with the implications, while the ruling BJP has yet to finalize its decision on a new leader.
Imphal: Four days after N. Biren Singh resigned as Manipur Chief Minister, the political situation in the state remains shrouded in uncertainty, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) yet to decide on a new leader. The leadership vacuum has triggered concerns across political circles, while the public watches anxiously for clarity.
The power tussle within the state unit of the BJP has left the party in limbo. Despite several rounds of discussions involving the party’s northeast in-charge, Sambit Patra, and various legislators, no consensus has been reached regarding Singh’s successor. The ongoing stalemate has raised apprehensions about potential administrative paralysis.
Mysterious Trip to Guwahati
Amid the uncertainty, state forest minister Th. Bishwajit—a prominent figure in state politics—unexpectedly left Imphal for Guwahati on Wednesday evening. No official reason has been cited for his visit, fueling speculation about potential political maneuvers behind the scenes.
Bishwajit’s sudden departure has added another layer of intrigue to the evolving political drama. Political observers suggest that his visit might involve consultations with central party leaders or an attempt to consolidate support for his potential candidacy as the next chief minister.
Deadlock Persists Despite Talks
Sambit Patra, who has been actively mediating discussions, has met with Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla twice in the last two days. On Tuesday, he visited the Raj Bhavan accompanied by state BJP president A. Sharda Devi for preliminary discussions. The following day, Patra returned for a second round of talks with Bhalla, but the outcome remains undisclosed.
Parallelly, Patra also held meetings with several BJP MLAs, including Consumer Affairs Minister L. Susindro and MLA Karam Shyam, to gauge the mood within the party and explore potential leadership options.
Speaking to reporters after one such meeting, MLA Karam Shyam downplayed the crisis. “There is no constitutional crisis after N. Biren Singh’s resignation. The issues at hand will be resolved by the Centre in collaboration with the legislators,” Shyam said.
However, when pressed about the expiry of the six-month gap between two consecutive assembly sessions—a constitutional requirement that could spell trouble for the state—Shyam’s response was cryptic. “Let’s see what happens,” he said, hinting at the uncertainty surrounding the situation.
Opposition Raises Questions
While the BJP struggles to find common ground, the opposition Congress has seized the moment to question the party’s intentions. Congress MLA Thokchom Lokeshwar criticized Sambit Patra’s visit, questioning whether he had come to resolve the leadership crisis or to perpetuate the stalemate.
“His visit appears more focused on ensuring that there is no assembly session, rather than addressing the leadership crisis,” said Lokeshwar. “The issues affecting the state continue to be sidelined, while the BJP remains silent.”
Lokeshwar argued that the BJP should prioritize naming a new chief minister without further delay. Prolonging this uncertainty does no good for Manipur,” he added.
Constitutional Crisis Looms
Legal experts have warned that the state might be inching toward a constitutional crisis if the deadlock is not resolved soon. The Constitution mandates that the interval between two sessions of the Legislative Assembly must not exceed six months. The last session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly concluded on August 12, 2024, and the next was scheduled for February 10, 2025.
However, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla recently declared the scheduled session null and void, further complicating matters. With no session on the horizon and the state without a functioning chief minister, the risk of President’s Rule looms large.
“If the state assembly does not convene within the stipulated time, the Centre might have no option but to impose President’s Rule,” said constitutional expert Dr. R.K. Sharma. “This situation could have been averted if the leadership transition had been handled more decisively.”
Public Sentiment and Political Fallout
The ongoing political uncertainty has not gone unnoticed by the public. Civil society organizations, student unions, and political observers have voiced their concern about the leadership vacuum.
“The government’s indecision is affecting daily administration. Important policy decisions are being delayed, and people are losing faith in the state’s governance,” said Irom Devi, a local activist.
Meanwhile, social media platforms are abuzz with speculation and frustration. Hashtags like #ManipurCrisis and #BJPLeadershipVoid have started trending, reflecting the growing public discontent.
Potential Contenders for CM Post
Within the BJP, several names are being discussed as potential candidates for the chief ministerial position. Th. Bishwajit, who has now become the center of attention with his Guwahati visit, is reportedly one of the frontrunners.
Others in contention include Speaker Yumnam Khemchand and Minister L. Susindro. However, party insiders suggest that the central leadership might prefer an uncontroversial candidate who can command support across the party’s various factions.
The Road Ahead
As the impasse continues, the ball appears to be in the Centre’s court. BJP legislators, while voicing opinions behind closed doors, have largely refrained from public statements. Sources indicate that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are likely to weigh in on the matter soon.
Until then, Manipur remains on edge, hoping for a resolution that restores political stability. The coming days could prove crucial as the BJP leadership decides on its next course of action. Whether the party can overcome internal divisions and present a united front remains to be seen.
For now, Manipur watches and waits.