BY Navin Upadhyay
The imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur has ignited intense political debate, raising fundamental questions about governance, constitutional breakdown, and the failure of the BJP-led state government to manage the crisis effectively. Despite holding a majority in the Assembly, the BJP was unable to sustain its government, forcing the Centre to intervene.
JP MP and Manipur in-charge Sambit Patra has clarified that the Manipur Legislative Assembly will be placed under suspended animation rather than being dissolved. This suggests that the Centre aims to stabilize the political and ethnic situation before making a decision on reviving the Assembly. Keeping the Assembly under suspended animation allows for potential restoration of the elected government once conditions improve, rather than necessitating fresh elections immediately.
This move, however, has led to speculation about the timing and the reasons behind the decision, given that Manipur has been in turmoil for nearly 18 months.
The Constitutional Justification: A Breakdown of Machinery?
The presidential notification for the imposition of President’s Rule cited the “breakdown of constitutional machinery” as its justification. However, critics argue that this reasoning remains vague and open to interpretation. The key question remains: why did the Centre recognize the constitutional breakdown only now, when the state had been in a prolonged crisis for over a year and a half?
#WATCH | Delhi | On President Rule imposed in Manipur, BJP MP Sambit Patra says, “It is a suspended animation…” pic.twitter.com/KpXiR5y3uL
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2025
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The immediate constitutional trigger was the failure to convene an Assembly session within the mandated six-month period, as required under Article 174 of the Indian Constitution. The last Assembly session in Manipur was held in August 2024, making a new session due by February 2025. However, deep political infighting, combined with worsening law and order, prevented the BJP-led government from fulfilling this constitutional obligation, paving the way for the Centre’s intervention.
BJP’s Internal Crisis and Leadership Vacuum
Though the BJP enjoyed a numerical majority, internal factionalism and leadership struggles rendered the government dysfunctional. The crisis escalated when Chief Minister N. Biren Singh was forced to resign on February 9, 2025, creating a power vacuum that the party failed to fill.
Unlike other states where the decisions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Home Minister Amit Shah are final in state leadership matters, Manipur’s unique ethnic dynamics made the situation more complex. The state’s political landscape is heavily influenced by ethnic affiliations, with MLAs reluctant to support any candidate who might be unacceptable to either the Kuki-Zo or Naga communities. This stalemate left the BJP without an agreeable leader, further paralyzing governance.
Ethnic Violence and Law-and-Order Collapse
Manipur has been embroiled in ethnic violence since May 2023, following the Manipur High Court’s recommendation to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community. This move was strongly opposed by the Kuki-Zo community, sparking violent clashes.
Over the past 18 months, more than 250 people have been killed, thousands displaced, and entire villages destroyed. The Biren Singh administration was accused of bias, with allegations that the state police were collaborating with armed Meitei factions. Reports from civil society organizations suggested that instead of curbing violence, the state machinery had become complicit in escalating tensions.
As law and order spiraled out of control, pressure mounted on the central government to intervene. While the opposition had been demanding President’s Rule since May 2023, the Centre hesitated, perhaps fearing political ramifications. However, the government’s inability to restore normalcy ultimately made President’s Rule inevitable.
Prime Minister Modi’s Silence and Political Fallout
One of the most striking aspects of the crisis was Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s prolonged silence. Despite repeated appeals from political leaders and civil society groups, Modi never visited Manipur during the conflict. This lack of engagement fueled opposition criticism, with Congress leaders like Jairam Ramesh accusing the BJP of abandoning its own state government.
The delay in imposing President’s Rule only added to the perception that the Centre was reluctant to act, further eroding the BJP’s credibility in Manipur. The party now faces a significant political challenge, with both the opposition and the public questioning its ability to govern effectively.
What Happens Next?
With President’s Rule in effect, Manipur will be directly governed by the Centre through the Governor until a new government can be formed. The key implications include:
The state Assembly remains dissolved until further notice.
The BJP must resolve its internal divisions and select a new leader acceptable to all factions if it wants to reclaim power.
Fresh elections may be called sooner than expected, depending on how the political situation unfolds.
While the BJP still holds a numerical majority, its failure to manage the crisis has cast doubt on its ability to govern Manipur. The coming months will determine whether the party can regain control or if the opposition will capitalize on this turmoil to gain political ground.
For now, Manipur remains in a state of uncertainty, with its future hinging on how the Centre and political stakeholders navigate this turbulent period.
