With tensions set to rise ahead of the upcoming Assembly session, Home Minister Amit Shah is actively engaging with state leaders to support the beleaguered Chief Minister. Scheduled to meet Rural Development Minister Yumnam Khemchand in Delhi, Shah is also holding talks with key figures—including Legislative Assembly Speaker Th Satyabrata and MLA Th Radheshyam—to discuss leadership changes and strategies to maintain order during the seventh session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly.
BY PC Bureau
Unrest is growing in Manipur as Chief Minister Biren Singh faces increasing opposition from several Kuki MLAs as well some non-Kuki BJP legislators—who appear poised to challenge his leadership in the upcoming Assembly session.
The Assembly features ten Kuki MLAs: Haokholet Kipgen (Independent MLA, Saitu), Kimneo Haokip Hangshing (KPA MLA, Saikul), L M Khaute (BJP MLA, Churachandpur), Chinlungthang (KPA MLA, Singngat), Nemcha Kipgen (BJP MLA, Kangpokpi), Ngursanglur Sanate (BJP MLA, Tipaimukh), Letpao Haokip (BJP MLA, Tengnoupal), Letzamang Haokip (BJP MLA, Henglep), Paolienlal Haokip (BJP MLA, Saikot), and Vungjagin Valte (BJP MLA, Thanton).
In October last year, 19 BJP MLAs in Manipur have sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding the removal of Biren Singh. Among the signatories are Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyavrat Singh, Minister Thongam Vishwajit Singh, and Yumnam Khemchand Singh.
Shah is expected to meet Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Yumnam Khemchand in Delhi to discuss the volatile political situation. Before heading to Delhi, Khemchand reportedly met with several BJP MLAs who voiced their dissatisfaction with the Chief Minister’s leadership and his handling of the ongoing crisis in Manipur.
Amit Shah has also been actively engaging with state leaders. He met with Legislative Assembly Speaker Th Satyabrata on December 9, 2024, and again on January 27, with a third meeting scheduled for February 6 at his residence. These discussions have focused on potential leadership changes and strategies to ensure that the seventh session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, beginning on February 10, proceeds without disruption.
Additionally, MLA Th Radheshyam met with Amit Shah on February 2 and is currently in Delhi. Protests calling for leadership change have been reported in both Delhi and Imphal. While Chief Minister Biren Singh counts on the support of eight MLAs, Speaker Satyabrata commands backing from roughly 40 legislators.
A coalition comprising 10 BJP MLAs, 5 Congress MLAs, 5 JD(U) MLAs, 6 NPP MLAs, and 3 Independents is expected to introduce a no-confidence motion in the upcoming session. Meanwhile, CLP leader Okram Ibobi, along with four Congress MLAs, met with Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, urging him to intervene and caution the Chief Minister against making statements that could undermine the rights and privileges of Assembly members.
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Ibobi criticized the Chief Minister for allegedly threatening that any legislator who files a no-confidence motion would be prevented from doing so and might face public harassment. He argued that such remarks violate democratic principles and stressed that every legislator has the constitutional right to exercise their powers in accordance with the Assembly’s rules.
Sources also indicate that Minister Khemchand has been in discussions with some BJP MLAs since Sunday. Although details are scarce, it is believed that he will provide Amit Shah with a comprehensive account of the MLAs’ grievances, and may even submit a representation signed by several legislators calling for the replacement of Chief Minister Biren Singh with another BJP leader.
In a related development, Amit Shah has invited MLA Dr. Thokchom Radheshyam to a meeting at his Delhi residence. Additionally, unnamed BJP MLAs have signaled that around 10 BJP members are preparing to raise a no-confidence motion against Chief Minister Biren Singh during the forthcoming Assembly session.
