Will Manipur CM N Biren Singh Be Able to Defuse Latest Crisis As He Did Before?

As people demand accountability from their representatives, reports are doing rounds that several BJP MLAs, including ministers, may step down.

As Manipur boils again, the focus is on how Chief Minister N Biren Singh handles this fresh escalation.
Will he emerge unscathed from this crisis too, like he did on multiple occasions in the last 18 months since ethnic strife began in the state on May 3, 2023?

Speculations are rife that several BJP Ministers and MLAs may step down owing to public pressure after the latest wave of violence after the recovery of 6 bodies, that of three women and three children, from Jiribam. The attacks and arson on the residences of several ministers and MLAs have only compounded things and is clearly building pressure on the Manipur Chief Minister, whose private residence also came under attack last night.

As people demand accountability from their representatives, reports are doing rounds that several BJP MLAs, including ministers, may step down.

However, observers are still taking this with a pinch of salt as this is not the first time that such speculations have come to the fore.

Only last month, there were multiple media reports doing rounds that as many as 19 BJP MLAs have signed a letter demanding removal of Chief Minister N Biren Singh. The letter, which garnered considerable attention, allegedly included the names of senior BJP leaders like Assembly speaker T Satyabrata and Minister Y Khemchand. The MLAs had reportedly expressed concerns about the government’s inability to restore peace and raised alarms about the growing pressure from their constituents to take decisive action or step down.

Earlier in July 2023, amid building pressure, CM N Biren Singh had decided to step down. However, he rolled back his decision after a 6-hour long drama when thousands of supporters, mainly womenfolk convinced him to stay on. Biren Singh was heading to Raj Bhawan on that occasion to hand over his resignation when the crowd stood in the way of the convoy. He alighted from the vehicle and tried to convince the crowd but to no avail. As a result, the CM made a U-turn to his residence and later announced that he would continue in his post.

However, with 18 months since the violence began, and the latest escalation, people in the Imphal valley are getting increasingly impatient seeking decisive action. Pressure is also building on the BJP MLAs from the Imphal valley to take a stand. So will some MLAs actually step down this time as is being speculated? Or, will CM N Biren Singh rise like a phoenix from the ashes once again to retain his chair? We will have to wait and watch.

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