Is Manipur Facing a Constitutional Crisis? Who is Running the State?

Following Biren Singh’s resignation, Governor Bhalla asked him to continue as caretaker Chief Minister until further notice

By Moirangthem Nganbarel Meetei

Manipur is caught in a political limbo following the sudden resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on February 9. Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla accepted his resignation immediately, yet there is no clear successor, no official statement on governance, and no resolution in sight.

Despite multiple rounds of closed-door meetings, including those between BJP’s Northeast in-charge Sambit Patra and party MLAs at Imphal Hotel, no leader has stepped forward to stake a claim to the chief minister’s post. Even Patra’s two meetings with Governor Bhalla have yielded no public clarification, leaving Manipur’s political future hanging in uncertainty.

Biren Singh’s resignation came just hours before the scheduled State Assembly Budget session. According to constitutional provisions, no more than six months can pass between two assembly sessions. That deadline expired on February 11, yet there has been no official declaration of either President’s Rule or the suspended animation. This unusual silence has triggered serious concerns about whether Manipur is in the midst of a constitutional crisis.

Following Biren Singh’s resignation, Governor Bhalla asked him to continue as caretaker Chief Minister until further notice. However, on the same day, the Governor declared the assembly session scheduled for February 10 as null and void. The absence of a new government or official administrative action has only deepened the confusion about who is currently running the state.

BJP’s Manipur unit president A. Sharda Devi assured the media that the resignation was in the “interest and welfare of the public” and that further steps would follow accordingly. However, most BJP MLAs, after meeting with Sambit Patra, have remained tight-lipped about who will replace Biren Singh, simply stating that they await instructions from the party’s high command.

This crisis traces back to the ethnic violence that erupted on May 3, 2023, after which 10 Kuki MLAs demanded Biren Singh’s removal. Growing discontent among BJP MLAs also led to calls for a leadership change, with some ministers openly criticising Biren Singh’s handling of the law-and-order situation. The instability worsened when the National People’s Party (NPP), an ally, withdrew support, explicitly stating its opposition to Biren Singh’s leadership.

With no clear answer on who will lead the state and no confirmation of President’s Rule, Manipur stands at a crossroads. The prolonged silence from the Raj Bhavan and the BJP leadership has only fueled speculation. As uncertainty grips the state, the most pressing question remains, Who is actually running Manipur?

Also Read: If No President’s Rule, Who Will Be Manipur’s Next CM?

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