President’s Rule imposed in Manipur as BJP fails to resolve leadership crisis

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 13, 2025

The Central government on Thursday imposed President’s Rule in Manipur, ending weeks of uncertainty following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. The decision comes amid the state’s ongoing ethnic violence and the BJP’s failure to appoint a new leader, leaving governance in turmoil.

The imposition of Article 356 comes just four days after Singh stepped down on Sunday, following a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Singh’s resignation, nearly 21 months after ethnic clashes erupted, follows mounting internal dissent within the BJP’s Manipur unit and the looming threat of a no-confidence motion in the state assembly. The violence has claimed over 250 lives and displaced thousands since it began.

In its official proclamation, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) stated, “Whereas, I, Droupadi Murmu, President of India, have received a report from the Governor of Manipur and, after considering the report and other information, I am satisfied that the Government of Manipur cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution. Now, therefore, in the exercise of the powers conferred by Article 356, I hereby proclaim that I—(a) Assume all functions of the Government of Manipur and all powers vested in or exercisable by the Governor and (b) Declare that the powers of the Manipur Legislature shall be exercised by or under the authority of Parliament.”

The leadership crisis in Manipur deepened when BJP Northeast in-charge Sambit Patra and state BJP president A. Sharda Devi met with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan in Imphal on Tuesday. The half-hour meeting failed to resolve the deadlock, leading to the imposition of central rule in the violence-hit state.

With growing internal discontent in the BJP’s Manipur unit and a vacuum in leadership, President’s Rule places Manipur’s administration directly under New Delhi’s control, while Parliament assumes legislative powers over the state. The move signals the BJP’s struggle to stabilize the region amid ongoing unrest and political turmoil.