Amid growing dissent, senior minister Yumnam Khemchand has called for early removal of Chief Minister, Biren ASingh . Opposition parties and several BJP MLAs are reportedly gearing up to table a no-confidence motion starting February 10.
BY PC Bureau
Tensions within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Manipur have escalated dramatically. According to sources, senior BJP leadership has decided to replace Chief Minister N. Biren Singh after the upcoming assembly session.
Meanwhile, the anti–Chief Minister faction within the party is demanding his early removal, arguing that if a no-confidence motion is introduced, several BJP MLAs will be unable to support his leadership in their respective constituencies. But he has been asked to wait and precipitate the crisis.
Several MLAs have conveyed to the party leadership that it’ll be impossible for them to vote for Singh if there was non-confidence motion against him.”. We won’t be able to go back to our constituencies and face the people,” one reportedly told a senior BJP leader here in Delhi.
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The crisis has placed additiobnal pressure on the Kuki MLAs, who now face a dilemma: if they back the Chief Minister’s continued leadership, they risk alienating their community; if they oppose him, they may trigger a political instability.
. Insiders claim that senior leadership at the Centre has assured the anti–Chief Minister camp that Biren Singh will be ousted sometime in March and has advised them against initiating a no-confidence motion during the upcoming assembly session.
Khemchand: Ready to pull the plug on Biren Singh
Reports also indicate that opposition parties and several BJP MLAs might introduce a no-confidence motion in the state assembly starting February 10.
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The internal discord emerged following separate meetings held by the BJP’s Northeast in-charge, Sambit Patra. He met individually with Chief Minister Biren Singh, Rural Development Minister Yumnam Khemchand, and MLA Thokchom Radheshyam. Summoned by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Biren Singh flew to Delhi yesterday and met with Patra upon his arrival.
Later, a group of seven ministers and MLAs—comprising Power Minister Th. Biswajit, Works Minister Govindas Konthoujam, PHE Minister L. Susindro, Lamlai AC MLA Kh. Ibomcha, Patsoi MLA Sapam Kunjakeshwor, Langthabal MLA Karam Shyam, and Kumbi MLA Sansam Premchandra—departed Imphal on a chartered flight for Delhi. Although Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, who arrived in Delhi yesterday, was reportedly present at these discussions, his involvement remains unconfirmed.
During the meetings, Sambit Patra reportedly urged both Yumnam Khemchand and Thokchom Radheshyam to remain calm until the February session concludes, stating that “the Centre has taken a decision to change leadership after” the session. However, Khemchand rejected the proposal, demanding an immediate change in the state government.
In a further twist, rumors are circulating that the seven ministers and MLAs currently in Delhi might join Chief Minister Biren Singh on an extended trip to Prayagraj for the Kumbh Mela. This potential move has raised serious concerns among legislators, who question the use of public funds—specifically, why a chartered flight was used instead of regular commercial travel during this period of political crisis.
