Ex-Biren Aide Turns Against Him – Monoharmayum Barish Sharma, once a close ally of former CM N. Biren Singh, publicly blames him for Manipur’s unrest. His claims fuel tensions as BJP MLAs increasingly oppose Singh’s leadership.
BY PC bureau
Former BJYM Leader Monoharmayum Barish Sharma Accuses Ex-CM N. Biren Singh of Instigating Manipur Crisis Amid Growing BJP Rift
Former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh is facing renewed criticism as his ex-close aide and former Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) Manipur president, Monoharmayum Barish Sharma, accused him of being the main architect of Manipur’s ongoing crisis. Sharma made these allegations in a viral social media video, intensifying the already deep political turmoil within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state.
The man screaming in this video is Barish Sharma, President of BJYM—the same man who once brandished a revolver, parading his so-called power over Kuki-Zo tribals, trying to force Meitei dominance over Thangting hills. He waved his gun like a warlord, believing he could terrorize… pic.twitter.com/PZjJQTt1cH
— Min งึลมินธัง (@ngulmint) February 17, 2025
Sharma, who was arrested in May 2023, was the first village defender to be taken into custody amid the ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur. He was detained on charges of possessing firearms without authorization and allegedly coordinating local defense groups under Biren Singh’s directives. Now, he claims that all his actions were carried out under the former CM’s orders, and in an emotionally charged confrontation at his residence in Wangkhei Ningthem Pukhri Mapal, he shouted, “Biren destroyed Manipur.”
The incident took place around noon when a group of Meira Paibi—a powerful women’s collective—arrived at Sharma’s residence, demanding an explanation. They were particularly angered by his recent social media post, where he alleged that the February 12 sit-in protest was a staged event, with participants allegedly paid ₹500 each to attend.
ALSO READ: Climate Crisis Hits Kashmir: No Snow for Winter Games, Forests in Flames
Sharma’s remarks have further divided the BJP in Manipur, where several party MLAs have openly expressed their opposition to Biren Singh’s leadership. Over the past few months, internal rifts have widened, with multiple BJP legislators seeking Singh’s removal from power, citing his mishandling of the conflict and alienation of various factions.
One of the protesting Meira Paibi members voiced her deep disappointment, stating that Sharma’s claims were an insult to their movement. As political tensions within the BJP escalate and the state remains in turmoil, this latest controversy is likely to further intensify the battle over Manipur’s leadership.
