In an indicative political development, the 7th session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, which was scheduled to commence on February 10, has been declared "null and void" with immediate effect. A notification issued by Assembly Secretary K. Meghajit Singh on Sunday cited the directive from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, who exercised his authority under Article 174(1) of the Constitution of India to annul the session before its commencement.
The decision follows the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, which was accepted by the Governor, although he has been requested to continue in office until an alternative arrangement is made. The abrupt cancellation of the assembly session is widely seen as a move to prevent a political crisis within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as opposition forces were preparing to table a no-confidence motion against Singh&rsquo;s leadership.
Internal Dissent, Kuki-Meitei Conflict, and Political Pressure
Singh&rsquo;s resignation was prompted by mounting dissent within the BJP, largely fueled by the prolonged ethnic conflict between the Kuki and Meitei communities in Manipur. The violence, which erupted in May 2023, had led to widespread unrest and governance challenges, significantly weakening Singh&rsquo;s hold on power. The conflict, centered around issues of land, identity, and political representation, created a deep rift within the BJP and further alienated coalition partners such as the National People&rsquo;s Party (NPP) and the Naga People&rsquo;s Front (NPF), both of which withdrew their support from the government.
A significant faction of the BJP, including 10 MLAs&mdash;some of whom were ministers&mdash;had openly expressed their unwillingness to support Singh&rsquo;s leadership and resolved to sit in the opposition. The situation became even more precarious when BJP MLAs and ministers collectively decided to occupy opposition benches, a move that could have been a major embarrassment for the party at the national level.
Additionally, multiple BJP legislators, including former Speaker Yumnam Khemchand Singh, had consistently boycotted meetings called by Singh over the past 21 months, preferring to escalate their concerns directly to the party&rsquo;s central leadership in Delhi.
A BJP leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, highlighted that had Singh not resigned before the assembly session, the party risked facing an embarrassing situation on the floor of the House. The opposition Congress, led by Mallikarjun Kharge, had already planned to move a no-confidence motion against Singh&rsquo;s government, further intensifying pressure on the embattled Chief Minister. The party leadership was left with no choice but to orchestrate his exit before the situation could spiral out of control.
Withdrawal of NPP and NPF Support
The fallout from the ethnic violence and governance failures also led to the withdrawal of support from key allies. The NPP, which had been a crucial partner in the coalition, decided to distance itself from the BJP-led government, citing deteriorating law and order conditions and failure to address ethnic grievances. Similarly, the NPF, which represents the Naga community, withdrew its backing, further isolating Singh and his administration.
The withdrawal of these coalition partners left the BJP in a precarious position, making it virtually impossible for Singh to maintain a majority in the assembly. With the likelihood of a successful no-confidence motion growing stronger, Singh&rsquo;s resignation became inevitable.
Race for the Chief Minister's Post
Following Singh&rsquo;s resignation, speculation is rife over his successor. Three prominent BJP leaders&mdash;Thongam Biswajit Singh, Yumnam Khemchand Singh, and state BJP president A. Sharda Devi&mdash;are emerging as frontrunners for the Chief Minister&rsquo;s post. The party&rsquo;s central leadership is expected to finalize its decision soon to ensure a smooth transition of power in the politically volatile state.
Manipur has been grappling with internal strife within the ruling BJP, exacerbated by factionalism, coalition breakdowns, and ethnic conflict. The latest developments underscore the deepening political instability, with the state BJP leadership under intense scrutiny as they navigate the post-Biren Singh era. The coming days will be crucial in determining the future course of Manipur&rsquo;s governance and political landscape.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh submits his resignation to the Governor Jay Kumar Bhalla

Manipur Crisis: Assembly Session Voided, BJP Faces Leadership Battle

Manipur Assembly Session Declared Null and Void

Manipur Crisis: Assembly Session Voided, BJP Faces Leadership Battle

February 10, 2025 | 06:15 IST